Singapore, November 5th 2004 --- inter-touch (BVI) Limited (“inter-touch”) announced today its agreement for NTT DoCoMo Inc. (“NTT DoCoMo”) to acquire the company. inter-touch is the leading provider of wired and wireless Broadband connectivity and applications to the business traveler across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Under the agreement, NTT DoCoMo will acquire a 100% stake in the Company for a cash consideration of US$70 million.
Dr. Jun Tajima, Managing Director of NTT DoCoMo’s Global Business Department said: “This purchase provides NTT DoCoMo with an opportunity to expand upon our vision to provide Broadband services to traveling business customers around the world. inter-touch has developed a rich network of the world’s finest hotels where it provides both wired and wireless Broadband access services.”
John Houston, CEO of inter-touch said: “We are very pleased with the NTT DoCoMo transaction since their vision is totally aligned with inter-touch’s. This new partnership will allow our company to greatly benefit from NTT DoCoMo’s know-how, expertise and leadership in wireless and mobile technologies. This secures our future and ensures our leadership position to meet the ever increasing customer demand for high quality Broadband connectivity, especially for the business traveler at our partner hotels and wireless hotspots.”
inter-touch operates in 28 Countries, and provides the “last mile” of wired and wireless Broadband to over 50,000 four and five-star hotel rooms that are either owned or operated by the most prestigious companies in the hospitality industry.
inter-touch’s largest shareholders are two private equity firms, TVG of Hong Kong and Technology Venture Partners (TVP) of Australia.
About NTT DoCoMo
NTT DoCoMo is the world's leading mobile communications company, serving more than 48 million customers. The company offers a wide variety of leading-edge mobile multimedia services, including i-mode®, which provides e-mail and internet access to over 42 million subscribers as the world's most popular mobile internet service, and FOMA®, launched in 2001 as the world's first 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA. In addition to wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe and North America, the company is expanding its global reach through strategic alliances with mobile and multimedia service providers in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. NTT DoCoMo is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM), and New York (DCM) stock exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.nttdocomo.com
FOMA and i-mode are trademarks or registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and other countries.
NTT DoCoMo's FOMA service is available only to subscribers in Japan.
About inter-touch
inter-touch is the leading provider of fast, convenient, reliable and secure wired and wireless Broadband connectivity and applications to the business traveler in over 50,000 hotel guest rooms, meeting rooms and business centres in 28 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. inter-touch’s Broadband wireless and wired solutions services more than three million connections annually. Since 1998, inter-touch has partnered with many prestigious hotel brands and management companies around the world including Accor, Hyatt International, Hilton Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotel Group, Langham Hotels International, Le Meridien Hotel & Resorts, Marriott, Mirvac Hotels & Resorts, Oakwood, Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton, Stamford Hotels & Resorts and Thistle Hotels. inter-touch is privately owned and headquartered in Singapore with 13 offices throughout Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. For a complete listing of inter-touch hotels or to learn more, please visit http://www.inter-touch.com
About Technology Venture Partners (TVP)
TVP is one of the largest specialist technology venture capital firms in Australia. Its team has collectively over 100 years of experience in the IT&C sector and has been investing in Australian IT&C companies since 1993. The TVP team has a unique mix of investment, business management and entrepreneurial skills gained from global experience in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia. TVP manages A$200 million in funds, including TVP#3; the largest IT&C fund raised in Australia ($144 million). Please visit our website: http://www.tvp.com.au
TVG
TVG owns over 75% of inter-touch and is an international private equity firm based in Hong Kong that originates, structures and acts as a principal investor in companies in the communications sector. TVG manages over US$600 million in committed capital for institutional and private investors worldwide. TVG is the largest investment firm focused exclusively on the Asian communications sector and offers the unique benefits of deep industry expertise and a portfolio of converging assets. Please visit our website: http://www.tvgfunds.com