The News

Esmertec reports record-high shipments in 2007

22/02/2008

License shipments of Esmertec’s Jbed™ technology exceeds record mark of 100 million units.
More than 125 subscribers have access to Esmertec’s Cellicium™ USSD solution through 24 operators worldwide.

DUEBENDORF-ZURICH, Switzerland – February 22, 2008 – Esmertec™ (SWX: ESMN), a leading edge provider of software platforms, applications and services to communications device manufacturers and mobile telecom operators, is pleased to announce that its Q4 2007 shipments as well as full year shipments reached record levels. The audited final results of fiscal year 2007 will be disclosed April 10, 2008.

In the Mobile & Multimedia Devices Segment shipments by customers in the fourth quarter 2007 reached a record-level of 33 million units compared to 23 million in the same quarter 2006 (+43.5%). Full year 2007 shipments grew by 78.3% from 59.7 million units in 2006 to 106.5 million units. Esmertec’s market share of the total mobile handset market increased from 7.6% in Q4 2006 to 9.9% in Q4 2007 and from 5.8% to 9.3% for the full years 2006 and 2007 respectively. The strong growth was the consequence of a continued growth of the global handset market and Esmertec’s increased efforts in developing existing customer relationships by providing superior products and services. As a result, Esmertec achieved a higher market penetration with its products. As per December 31st, 2007, Esmertec's software has been shipped in over 206 million mobile handsets and consumer electronics devices. Esmertec expects a further increase in its market share in 2008, while the market is expected to grow significantly. 

Installed capacities in the Mobile Operator Segment also expanded. The cumulated mobile subscriber base with access to Esmertec’s Cellicium USSD browsing solution grew from 70.4 million by December 31, 2006 to over 125 million subscribers by December 31, 2007. The subscriber growth resulted from new customers (mobile operators) deciding for Esmertec’s USSD platform and an increased number of subscribers having access to Esmertec’s USSD services with existing customers.

Thomas Hornung, CEO of Esmertec, said: “2007 was a successful year for Esmertec. With the tremendous growth, we have exceeded all previous records and now see the benefits of our initiated strategy. Today, we are a trusted partner among leading handset manufacturers and mobile operators and we continue refining our products and services and put our efforts in combining our core technologies in order to offer our customers advanced solutions for mobile communications.”

This communication contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions of the company’s management only, and involves certain risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein could be substantially impacted by risks and influences that are not foreseeable at present, so that actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, expected, or projected. Esmertec disclaims any intention or obligation to update and revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Esmertec
Esmertec is a leading provider of Java™ in-device engines and mobile services platforms. The company’s high-performance solutions enable consumers to easily discover and access content and services on any mobile phone. Esmertec’s customer database has grown to more than 90 customers, including mobile operators and manufacturers of mobile handsets, set-top boxes and interactive televisions. Its in-device engines power 1 out of 10 new phones (shipped in more than 206 million devices) and its USSD mobile services platforms serves more than 125 million mobile subscribers world-wide.

Esmertec is a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance, delivering customized solutions for Android, the mobile platform.

Founded in 1999, Esmertec is headquartered in Zurich-Switzerland with subsidiaries in China, France, South Korea, and the USA, and offices in Taiwan and the UK. Since 2005, Esmertec has been listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (ESMN).

Esmertec and Jbed are trademarks of Esmertec AG.
Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks of their respective owners

Investor relations contact
Dr. Konrad Hurni, CFO
Phone +41 44 823 8900
khurni@esmertec.com
Media contact
Jan Gregor IR Firm
Phone +41 43 244 8154
esmertec@irfirm.biz