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Opera acquires Skyfire, broadens its mobile operator solutions beyond the browser(Cision (English) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Opera adds Skyfire’s video-optimization and smartphone monetization products to its operator business unit Mountain View, California and Oslo, Norway February 15, 2013 Opera Software announced today that it has acquired Silicon Valley based Skyfire Labs, a leader in mobile video optimization and cloud solutions for mobility. Skyfire, headquartered in Mountain View, California, is known for its Rocket Optimizer™ software. This allows mobile operators to leverage cloud computing to optimize virtually any video and other multimedia on crowded cell towers, including 3G and 4G LTE networks. Rocket Optimizer on average provides mobile networks a 60 percent boost in capacity by reducing the size of video and other multimedia content as needed to fit the available bandwidth. Skyfire can detect when specific users are facing poor quality of experience or connections that need assistance, and intervene in milliseconds. This can minimize the long start times, rebuffering, and stalls on video and audio streams that frustrate mobile users around the world. The approach aligns with the trend toward SDN (software-defined networking) and NFV (network function virtualization) among telecommunications operators, thanks to its elastic and virtualization-friendly cloud architecture. Skyfire also offers Skyfire Horizon™, a mobile browser extension and toolbar platform that allows users to personalize their smartphone browser and operators to gain new monetization opportunities. Skyfire has honed its technology through a variety of top-selling consumer applications, which have more than 20 million worldwide downloads to date. Skyfire currently counts three large U.S. mobile operators as customers for its Rocket Optimizer and Skyfire Horizon solutions, and is in trials with ten other operators around the world. “Opera and Skyfire are a natural fit,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. “Both companies have evolved far beyond their browser roots. Skyfire adds capabilities to our portfolio around video, app optimization, smartphones and tablets, and strength in North America. With video expected to consume over two-thirds of global mobile bandwidth by 2015, and as time spent on Android and iOS apps explodes, we are excited to extend Opera’s solutions for operators.” “Opera practically invented cloud compression to improve mobile user experience, and the team at Skyfire is proud to join forces and advance cloud solutions together,” said Jeffrey Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “Opera’s over 100 carrier relationships, global sales team, and delivery organization can accelerate the global commercialization of Skyfire’s technology. Opera's Mediaworks advertising unit with AdMarvel, Mobile Theory and 4thScreen Advertising will strengthen Skyfire Horizon by offering mobile operators a complete turnkey solution including ad optimization, ad sales, and rich analytics. The synergies across all the product lines for both companies are tremendous.” After the deal closes, Glueck will assume the role of EVP of the Operator Business for Opera, as well as CEO of Skyfire, and will oversee the joint offerings for Opera across Opera Mini co-brand solutions for Operators and Skyfire’s product lines. Skyfire will remain an independent entity as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Opera, and will continue to develop and support the Skyfire browser. The two companies envision a powerful new set of joint products to be released over the coming year by combining their talents and know-how. In particular, they look to expand on Opera’s Web Pass offering, which allows consumers to purchase innovative data plans such as an unlimited ‘day pass’ of popular apps and web sites for an affordable price, thanks to video and data optimization. WebPass can enable new business models for operators, such as toll free data, ad-supported data, and more. “The market opportunity for video/media optimization solutions geared towards operators and consumers is significant. After a thorough evaluation of this market, we strongly believe Skyfire is the clear leader for the future in this space”, said Erik Harrell, CFO/CSO of Opera. “From a financial perspective, we expect 2013 to be a year of strong revenue growth and investment for Skyfire relative to 2012 and for Skyfire's financial results to be dilutive to Opera's earnings in 2013. We expect Skyfire to be accretive to our earnings beginning in 2014 as the synergies from the joint Opera-Skyfire value proposition towards operators and consumers bear meaningful fruit.” The acquisition price includes a mix of cash and stock, with an upfront consideration of US$50 million (including US$8 million of cash on the Skyfire balance sheet) and performance based earn-out payments over three years, including US$26 million in cash held in escrow and funded upfront, that can bring the total deal size to $155 million. The cash portion of the upfront consideration of US$38 million and the US$26 million performance based escrow will be funded from existing cash balances and a revolving credit facility. In 2012, Skyfire had revenues of MUSD 4.1 and EBIT of MUSD (8.1). Apart from taking part in the earn out, no member of Skyfire management or the Skyfire board of directors has been or is expected to be party to any agreements providing for any specific benefits in connection with the transaction. The Opera acquisition of Skyfire is expected to close before March 15, 2013. Mobile operators are invited to meet Opera and Skyfire at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona the 25-27th of February, at Hall 5, Booth 5C90. About Opera Software ASA The worldwide World Wide Web any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 300 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the internet. Our vision of one web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. ‘Opera’, ‘Opera Software’, ‘Opera Mini’ and the ‘O’ logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com. About Skyfire Skyfire is dedicated to leveraging the power of cloud computing to radically improve the mobile Internet experience for both operators and their consumers. Skyfire’s innovative, next-generation carrier cloud approach to mobile video and data optimization provides wireless operators with huge cost savings, elastic capacity, and the ability to surgically enhance quality of experience on a per-stream level. The company has also introduced the first mobile browser extension platform to enable robust contextual & social browsing, as well as enhanced monetization opportunities for operators. Investors in Skyfire include Matrix Partners, Trinity Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Verizon Ventures, and Panorama Capital. Skyfire was founded in 2007. For more information, visit www.skyfire.com, or follow @Skyfire on Twitter. NOTE: Skyfire, Skyfire Rocket Optimizer™ and Skyfire Horizon™ are trademarks of Skyfire Labs, Inc. Editorial contacts: Erik Harrell, Opera CFO/CSO Tel: +47 2369 2400 Petter Lade, Opera Investor Relations Tel: +47 2369 2400 Jay Hinman Skyfire Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 650 980 2652 Rufus Jay / Lorna McLennan CCGroup Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)7760 322 050/+44 (0)7741 242 227 Roya Pakfetrat Engage PR Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 510 748 8200 ext. 217 - Ends - This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.comhttp://www.cisionwire.com/opera-software-asa/r/opera-acquires-skyfire--broadens-its-mobile-operator-solutions-beyond-the-browser,c9371004The following files are available for download:http://mb.cision.com/Public/1969/9371004/ab87bfc9333a81bb.pdf Skyfire (c) 2013 Cision. All Rights Reserved. |