Nokia Siemens Networks to Acquire IRIS Telecom from Turkey

Nokia Siemens Networks and IRIS Telecom, a telecom and engineering services firm headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, today jointly announced that Nokia Siemens Networks will acquire IRIS Telecom. The acquisition will combine IRIS Telecom's strong multi-vendor Network Planning and Optimization (NPO) business with Nokia Siemens Networks' global capabilities, to create a regional leader in telecom services. Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the deal should be completed during the first quarter of 2011.

IRIS Telecom was founded in 1999, and since then has built its NPO business and customer base to emerge as the region's leading vendor. IRIS Telecom has more than 630 employees and its existing customers include Turkcell, Avea and Ucell. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"3G and mobile broadband are driving the need to manage end-user experience while improving network efficiency," said Mete Gokdemir, CEO, IRIS Telecom. "While a fair portion of the region's operators are still managing their networks in-house, we are seeing a growing trend toward outsourcing, given the higher complexities and competence requirements of managing IP networks. In this evolving scenario, Nokia Siemens Networks' proven business model and the acquired local capabilities of IRIS Telecom will create a winning proposition for operators."

"Nokia Siemens Networks will use IRIS Telecom's localized operations and strong position in NPO to improve our own service delivery model in Turkey, Eastern Europe and Central Asia," said Geert Buijk, regional head of Services, Nokia Siemens Networks. "We aim to deliver unmatched competitive advantages for customers across a region where network data traffic is increasing rapidly as 3G and mobile broadband are starting to take off."

The company will continue to use the IRIS Telecom name and be operationally independent with its head office in Istanbul, Turkey, regional offices in Ankara and Izmir, and subsidiaries in Uzbekistan and Belarus. The current CEO, Mete Gokdemir will continue in his role, and Johan Bruce, currently chairman of IRIS Telecom's Board, will be nominated Executive Director of the company. After closing of the deal, Nokia Siemens Networks will honor all existing commitments made by IRIS Telecom, including those to other equipment vendors. Future multi-vendor services opportunities will be evaluated on a case by case basis in line with Nokia Siemens Networks' strategy.

About IRIS Telecom

IRIS was founded in 1999, with the target of providing high quality network planning and optimization services to telecom operators and equipment vendors primarily in Turkey and the EECA and MEA region. Today IRIS has developed into delivery also of network deployment services and network operation services. IRIS engineers have continuously used the experience gained from their many projects to further develop and improve its processes and engineering tools. IRIS has thus gained several ISO certifications and has developed its own SW, IRIS Optimizer, for use as an integral part of its engineering services delivery. With head office in Turkey, IRIS employees work in a truly multinational environment.