SSL Announces Acquisition of Symmetricom, Inc.'s Global Positioning System Division and Patented Technologies
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2000--
GPS Technology to Accelerate Introduction of Powerful
Location-Enabled Mobile Appliances, PDAs and Pagers,
Significantly Adding to SSL's portfolio of
Mobile-Internet IP Solutions
SSL, a leading developer of platform-level intellectual property (IP) for next-generation Mobile-Internet and Mobile Multimedia appliances, today announced the acquisition of the Global Positioning System (GPS) division from Symmetricom, Inc. (NASDAQ:SYMM - news), the leading supplier of network synchronization and timing solutions for the global telecommunications industry.
SSL's newly acquired Symmetricom GPS technology utilizes information from satellites and a wireless network to instantaneously pinpoint any wireless device to within 5-20 meters in a wide range of calling environments. A recent FCC mandate specifies that all wireless carriers and network providers in the United States are to be equipped with the GPS technology by Oct. 1, 2001, enabling callers to emergency 911 services to be located in real time.
``SSL's focus is to provide an unrivalled portfolio of Intellectual Property (IP) for next generation Mobile-Internet appliances,' said Brian Long, CEO and founder of SSL. ``Location-based services, that this technology enables, are seen as killer applications for the rapidly emerging mCommerce market such as real time maps, pinpointed nearest restaurants or banks, locating taxis, etc. greatly adds to our portfolio of Bluetooth, 3G, MP3 and PDA platforms.'
Combining Symmetricom's 150 man years experience in GPS Navigation, location and telecommunications technology with SSL's IP platforms accelerates the introduction of a myriad of such solutions which can also be included in smart phones, PDAs and pagers that can provide customized location-specific services directly to the wireless user. Imagine being able to locate your child at all times or even locate someone's position in a high rise building at the other side of the world. These are just two of the services this deal can bring to the market. Other services include a variety of mobile e-Commerce applications and personalized location services like real-time driving directions and route guidance; personalized concierge services that give local information assistance and guidance to points of interest or convenience, such as restaurants or ATMs; real-time traffic information; enhanced roadside assistance.
The technology is air interference independent, functions to any wireless standard and operates inside houses, moving vehicles, under heavy foliage and in dense city locations across the globe. The solution will provide the most cost and power effective, high sensitivity implementation for mobile-Internet.
The Symmetricom Inc GPS division consisting of 33 designers, 25 which are involved in R & D, 7 generations of GPS products, 4 core patents and 6 core. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Symmetricom:
Symmetricom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYMM - news) is a leader in providing synchronization and timing solutions to service providers, including ILECs, CLECs, ISPs, cable operators and wireless carriers. With atomic clock, quartz and GPS synchronization solutions installed in more than 1,000 communications networks in more than 60 countries, Symmetricom provides traditional wireline and wireless carriers and IP-based network operators with solutions that help them improve service quality while reducing operational costs. For more information, see Symmetricom on the Web at www.symmetricom.com.
About SSL Inc.
SSL (www.sslinc.com) is a leading supplier of platform-level intellectual property (IP) for mobile-internet and mobile-multimedia appliances. In these markets SSL supplies a roadmap of platform-level IP (silicon and software) for Bluetooth, Smartphones, WCDMA, GPS and MP3. SSL employs more than 250 product development specialists in RF IC, DSP, Mixed Signal IC, Digital ASIC and Software development. The company has five development centers and four sales locations worldwide. For more information, visit the SSL Web site at www.sslinc.com.
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Contact:
Pacifico, Inc.
Marlo Lucila, 408/293-8600, Ext. 303
mlucila@pacifico.com
or
SSL (Europe)
Olivia Gaynor, +353 87 222 3600 Dublin
olivia.gaynor@sslinc.com |
