A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sybase, an over $1-billion provider of enterprise infrastructure and mobile software, has tied up with international communications company, Cable&Wireless, for exclusive worldwide rights to market and sell mobile data roaming services. The subsidiary, Sybase 365, has also acquired the international inter-operator MMS hubbing service of Cable&Wireless, for an undisclosed amount.
Mark Westover, vice-president, corporate development, Sybase, told FE, “The amount of the all-cash transaction is undisclosed, and the transaction is not expected to have a material impact on 2008 consolidated results. At this point of time, we are focusing on the strategic importance of the deal – enabling enterprises to offer their customers access to all types of information at any time, place and carrier network through a single platform offered by only Sybase.” He added that with this strategic partnership, the company would be able to offer next-generation multimedia and IP-based applications and services to enterprise customers. Sybase’s enterprise customers in India include Bank of Baroda, United Bank of India, Cornershop Entertainment, Essel Group’s wireless media, the Indian Navy, Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL) and telecom operators like Aircel, Airtel, BSNL, Bharti Cellular, BPL Mobile, Idea and Reliance.
The MMS hub and the management of the mobile data roaming service will be integrated into Sybase 365. The integration with the Cable&Wireless hub will create a new geographically diverse MMS ecosystem, enabling global exchange of MMS messages and enable Sybase’s international operator-customers to reach the high-value, high-traffic North American MMS marketplace and Sybase’s existing North American operator-customers to reach over 250 operators worldwide.
With this agreement, Sybase becomes the world’s largest GRX (global roaming service) provider with 73 direct operator customers. Coupled with 17 peer agreements, the GRX’s reach extends to almost 500 mobile operators. Sybase revenues for the quarter ending March 31, were $260.1 million, up 13% year-over-year. The messaging services contributed a revenue of $42.6 million, up 37% year-over-year.