2009-12-02 08:01:53 -
London, December , 02, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Free for publication, December 2, 2009
TERRESTAR CORPORATION, EB (ELEKTROBIT) AND FLEXTRONICS AGREE ON
MANUFACTURING SERVICES FOR TERRESTAR GENUS, THE FIRST
SATELLITE-TERRESTRIAL SMARTPHONE
Elektrobit Inc, a subsidiary of EB, Elektrobit Corporation (OMX:
EBC1V), a leading developer of cutting-edge embedded technology
solutions for automotive and wireless industries, and mobile
communications provider TerreStar Corporation (NASDAQ: TSTR), have
expanded their relationship to include EB's provision of turnkey
product delivery services to TerreStar for the TerreStar(TM)
GENUS(TM) Smartphone, an EB design. EB has sub-contracted with
leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider Flextronics
(NASDAQ: FLEX), to help provide these product delivery services.
The TerreStar GENUS Smartphone is an innovative mobile device that
combines 3G terrestrial wireless capability with satellite voice and
data services - all in a standard smartphone size and form factor.
The TerreStar GENUS provides an enhanced end-user experience by
leveraging the Windows Mobile® 6.5 operating system, rich smartphone
functionality and premium features, such as a touchscreen, WiFi,
Bluetooth®, GPS and a QWERTY keyboard, with satellite ubiquity and
security. The TerreStar GENUS can be used throughout the United
States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and offshore coastal
waters, and is intended to work as a user's everyday cellular
smartphone, with satellite access capability as a secondary option,
when needed.
To provide TerreStar the agreed product delivery services, EB has
sub-contracted with Flextronics for comprehensive electronics
manufacturing services, forward and reverse logistics, and
aftermarket services support. This partnership will provide TerreStar
with cost efficient manufacturing and complete supply chain
visibility for the TerreStar GENUS Smartphone. By working with EB and
its partner network, TerreStar can align its business objectives with
device demand and an ongoing logistics and product lifecycle
strategy.
"We remain committed to transforming the mobile experience by
bringing the next generation of handheld solutions to market that
will provide true mobile convergence and ubiquitous voice, data and
video access across cellular and satellite connectivity options,"
said Steve AuBuchon, TerreStar's vice president of product
management. "Partnering with EB and Flextronics was a strategic move,
as each brings extensive expertise from across the wireless value
chain to enable TerreStar to quickly and cost-effectively meet its
aggressive go-to-market initiatives."
Flextronics was chosen for its proven track record of delivering cost
effective manufacturing and logistics services to OEMs of mobile
devices. They will manufacture and provide support services initially
from its Linkoping, Sweden location.
"We understand TerreStar's need to assemble the right set of product
delivery business assets to enable them to bring this new category of
integrated satellite-terrestrial devices to market," said Francois
Barbier, President Global Operations, Flextronics. "Our goal is to
work closely with EB to ensure TerreStar has an efficient supply
chain; offering operational advantages based on fewer touch points
and lower cost. Our SBS (Special Business Solutions) organization
enables our Customers to utilize Flextronics scalability to support
future business growth. This is another great win for our SBS team."
The terms of today's agreement with TerreStar highlight EB's newly
announced business model to offer complete products leveraging
manufacturing partners. This service is in addition to EB's current
service offering: pairing EB's technology assets and advanced
research and development services with third party components to
engineer creative wireless ecosystems.
"We are pleased to expand our long-standing relationship with
TerreStar to include product delivery services, as we continually
look to offer as much value as possible in every business
relationship we engage in," said Jani Lyrintzis, vice president,
Wireless Solutions, EB. "Together with our partners, we are working
to deliver the first satellite-terrestrial smartphone to one of the
world's most recognized mobile operators."
Further information:
Ari Virtanen
Executive Vice President, Wireless Solutions
EB, Elektrobit
Tel. +358 400 435 878
Jani Lyrintzis
Vice President, Wireless Solutions
EB, Elektrobit
Tel. +1 425 444 2830
Distribution:
Principal media
About TerreStar Corporation
TerreStar Corporation is the controlling shareholder of TerreStar
Networks Inc. and TerreStar Global Ltd. For additional information on
TerreStar Corporation, please visit the company's website at
www.terrestarcorp.com.
About TerreStar Networks Inc.
TerreStar Networks (www.terrestar.com), a majority owned subsidiary
of TerreStar Corporation (NASDAQ: TSTR), plans to offer a reliable,
secure and resilient satellite terrestrial mobile broadband network
that will provide voice, data and video services dedicated to helping
solve the critical communication and business continuity challenges
faced by government, emergency responders, enterprise businesses and
rural communities. TerreStar expects to offer next generation mobile
communications through a network of partners and service providers to
users who need "anywhere" coverage throughout the United States.
About Flextronics
Headquartered in Singapore (Singapore Reg. No. 199002645H),
Flextronics is a leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)
provider focused on delivering complete design, engineering and
manufacturing services to automotive, computing, consumer,
industrial, infrastructure, medical and mobile OEMs. Flextronics
helps customers design, build, ship, and service electronics products
through a network of facilities in 30 countries on four continents.
This global presence provides design and engineering solutions that
are combined with core electronics manufacturing and logistics
services, and vertically integrated with components technologies, to
optimize customer operations by lowering costs and reducing time to
market. For more information, please visit www.flextronics.com.
About EB (Elektrobit Corporation)
EB creates advanced technology and turns it into enriching end-user
experiences. EB is specialized in demanding embedded software and
hardware solutions for wireless and automotive industries. The net
sales for the year 2008 totalled MEUR 172.3. Elektrobit Corporation
is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. www.elektrobit.com.
Windows Mobile is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG.
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is
solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
