Bangalore, India, October 11, 2007
Nokia Siemens Networks and Wipro Technologies, the global IT arm of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) have agreed on the terms and conditions of a business transfer and asset sale of Nokia Siemens Networks radio access related R&D activities in Berlin.
All Radio Access R&D activities currently performed in Berlin are planned to be provided to Nokia Siemens Networks by Wipro Technologies in the future. As part of the partnership, 58 employees of Nokia Siemens Networks are planned to be fully integrated into the operations of Wipro Technologies. Through this agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks will leverage Wipro Technologies’ global expertise as one of the largest independent R&D services providers in the world.
“Wipro Technologies has been a valued partner of our parent companies Nokia and Siemens for many years. We have successfully cooperated with them on various development programs”, said Ari Lehtoranta, Head of the Radio Access Business Unit, Nokia Siemens Networks. “As regards the personnel transferring to Wipro Technologies, they will join a strong partner, where their competencies will be a natural fit. Our customers will see a strengthening of our capabilities to ensure high quality products”.
“This partnership will further strengthen Wipro’s capabilities and R & D services in the third-generation 3G. This will enhance Wipro’s offerings across the wireless network including access, core and service infrastructure,” said Ramesh Emani, President, Telecom & product engineering solutions. “This agreement is a key milestone in Wipro’s significant relationship with Nokia Siemens Networks while enhancing our presence in Europe”.
The transfer of R&D capabilities to trusted business partners is part of Nokia Siemens Networks’ overall strategy. This step will allow the company to realize greater flexibility and improve cost management and enable leveraging of the expertise of the R&D partners.
Wipro is one of the leading players in telecom engineering solutions space, covering wireless, wireline, broadband and enterprise communication, legacy and next generation products. Wipro has been focusing significantly in competency development for next generation radio access technologies.
Nokia Siemens Networks has initiated the appropriate consultation process with the respective bodies of the employee representatives about the terms and conditions of the transfer, in accordance with German labor law and local legal practices.
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications services. The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio of mobile and fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the growing demand for services with 20,000 service professionals worldwide. Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the largest telecommunications infrastructure companies with operations in 150 countries. The company is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.
www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
About WiproWipro Technologies, a division of Wipro Limited is the first PCMM Level 5 and SEI CMM Level 5 certified IT Services organization globally. Wipro is one of the largest product engineering and support service providers worldwide. Wipro provides comprehensive research and development services, IT solutions and services, including systems integration, Information Systems outsourcing, package implementation, software application development and maintenance services to corporations globally.
In the Indian market, Wipro is a leader in providing IT solutions and services for the corporate segment in India offering system integration, network integration, software solutions and IT services. Wipro also has profitable presence in niche market segments of consumer products and lighting. In the Asia Pacific and Middle East markets, Wipro provides IT solutions and services for global corporations. Wipro's ADS are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and its equity shares are listed in India on the Stock Exchange - Mumbai, and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit our websites at www.wipro.com, www.wiprocorporate.com
Media Contacts:
India:
Sanjeeth Boloor
Wipro Technologies
+91- 9845294767
sanjeeth.boloor@wipro.com
Subramaniam
Gutenberg PR
+91 9945688111
subra@gutenbergpr.com
Ranjani S Roy,
Gutenberg Communications,
+91 9886377941,
ranjani@gutenbergpr.com
Sunanda Sanganeria,
Gutenberg Communications,
+91 9811553623,
sunanda@gutenbergpr.com
US
Lavanya DJ
Gutenberg PR
+ (212).239.8740
lavanya@gutenbergpr.com
UK
Rahul Kadavakolu
+44 792 020 5496
rahul.kadavakolu@wipro.com
Forward-looking and cautionary statements
Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects and our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions are forward looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding our ability to integrate and manage acquired IT professionals, our ability to integrate acquired assets in a cost effective and timely manner, fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, , liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Wipro has made strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Wipro may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. Wipro does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company. For further information, please visit our websites at www.wipro.com, www.wiprocorporate.com and www.wipro.in