LINK Mobility Group ASA (‘LINK’), one of Europe’s leading and fastest growing providers of B2C mobile messaging and mobile services, has entered into a term sheet regarding the acquisition of Italian mobile messaging company SMS Italia Srl (‘SMS.it’).
SMS.it is one of the leading mobile messaging providers in Italy. Established in 1996, SMS.it was the first in the world to provide mobile Internet services and the first mobile messaging provider on a global scale. Located in Milan, with offices in Bologna, SMS.it is a mobile operator owning an independent mobile network, fixed network, signalling and SS7 interconnection and has in place interworking agreements with all the Italian mobile operators and the primary MVNOs.
“I am happy to announce that we have signed a firm term sheet to acquire SMS.it the first global provider of mobile messaging services all the way back in 1996. This is our second investment in Italy and the fit between Total Connect and SMS.it is very good. We will now have a solid platform to develop and grow LINK in Italy through our strong sales focus and innovation of mobile messaging and solutions services. The Italian market is experiencing strong growth and we really look forward to take a big slice of this growth going forward,” said Arild E. Hustad, CEO of LINK.
“We are very pleased with the opportunity to combine strengths and expertise of SMS.it with LINK Mobility. And it should also be stated that SMS.it was the first in the world providing mobile Internet services. Our two companies have a strong cultural fit and a similar approach to clients and partners. Joining LINK Mobility enhances the access for our clients to industry leading and innovative solutions, while still maintaining focus on the local proximity to our clients, as well as the quality of service and assistance that is highly valued by our clients,” said Daniele Preda, Managing Director of SMS.it.
