Altobridge Drives Growth with US$12 Million Funding From Intel Capital and IFC
By Altobridge Ltd, PRNESunday, March 13, 2011
DUBLIN, March 14, 2011 - Altobridge to:
- Increase pace of roll-out of low-operating-cost remote communications solution - Commercialise low-cost mobile broadband solution based on unique data optimisation techniques
Altobridge Limited - leaders in technology that cuts the cost of
delivering voice and broadband data services across wireless networks - has,
today, announced that Intel Capital and IFC will together invest US$12
million in the company.
This Series C funding round, led by Intel Capital, will provide
Altobridge with additional capital to accelerate the pace of roll-out of its
award winning low-capital-cost/ low-operational-cost wireless communications
solution. This solution is coming under increasing demand to meet the
wireless communications requirements of remote communities, enterprises and
schools of the world's emerging markets. The funding will also allow the
company to commercialise its mobile broadband solution: Altobridge
Data-at-the-Edge(TM) - a technology that demonstrates a significant reduction
in data bandwidth requirements on mobile networks.
Mike Fitzgerald, Altobridge Chief Executive, said, "Our technology
enables mobile network operators in emerging markets to cost effectively
extend their broadband services to the billion people of the world on the
other side of the digital divide. Our Data-at-the-Edge(TM) solution reduces
mobile network operators' backhaul requirements by at least 50%. This
strategic investment by Intel Capital and IFC will enable us to scale
commercially and to advance our R&D to further reduce transmission costs for
mobile network operators.
"Data congestion in urban area wireless networks and connecting remote
communities in rural areas are major challenges for communication service
providers," said Marcos Battisti, Director of Intel Capital Western Europe
and Israel. "Altobridge has developed the technology and is marketing
products that address these issues in a cost-effective way. Our investment in
Altobridge will help accelerate the company's growth and wider adoption of
its technology".
Commenting on its investment, Kent Lupberger, IFC Global Head of Telecom,
Media and Technology, said, "Altobridge offers an affordable,
energy-efficient, solar-powered solution that will improve the ability of
telecom operators to deliver low-cost mobile communication services in
developing countries, helping spur innovation and increase economic growth."
About Altobridge
Altobridge wireless network solutions provide a lower capital and lower
operating cost option for the delivery of voice and mobile broadband
services, enabling mobile network operators to connect unconnected
communities and enterprises at minimum cost.
Central to this lie a series of patented and patent-pending technologies
namely: Data at the Edge(TM) (data optimisation in wireless networks), Local
Connectivity(TM) (local voice switching) and Split Architecture(TM)
(transmission and power optimisation), all of which - individually and
combined - drive down communications delivery costs for mobile network
operators, by reducing backhaul and power-consumption costs.
Altobridge solutions are deployed and operational in over 20 countries
worldwide.
The company is headquartered in Ireland and has four further bases in
Malaysia, Indonesia, China and the US covering sales, R&D, customer support
and manufacturing.
Visit: www.altobridge.com
About Intel Capital
Intel Capital, Intel's global investment organisation, makes equity
investments in innovative technology start-ups and companies worldwide. Intel
Capital invests in a broad range of companies offering hardware, software,
and services targeting enterprise, home, mobility, health, consumer Internet,
semiconductor manufacturing and cleantech. Since 1991, Intel Capital has
invested more than US$9.8 billion in over 1,100 companies in 48 countries. In
that timeframe, 189 portfolio companies have gone public on various exchanges
around the world and 258 were acquired or participated in a merger. In 2010,
Intel Capital invested US$327 million in 119 investments with approximately
44 percent of funds invested outside the US and Canada. For more information
on Intel Capital and its differentiated advantages, visit:
www.intelcapital.com .
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development
institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. They
create opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. IFC
does so by providing financing to help businesses employ more people and
supply essential services, by mobilizing capital from others, and by
delivering advisory services to ensure sustainable development. In a time of
global economic uncertainty, their new investments climbed to a record $18
billion in fiscal 2010. For more information, visit: www.ifc.org .
Altobridge Contacts: Tim Guest Peter Tuomey, Phone: +44-7956-257-069 Phone: +44-7765-665-045, Email: tguest at altobridge.com Email: ptuomey at altobridge.com ; IFC Contact: Josef Skoldeberg, Phone: +1(202) 473-6978, Email: jskoldeberg at ifc.org ; Intel Capital Contact: Kristof Sehmke, Phone: +32-3-450-09-13, Email: kristof.sehmke at intel.com
Tags: Altobridge Ltd, Dublin, ireland, March 14