February 04, 2004

By: Yen Hung
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Lucent Technologies acquires Optimay GmbH, German cellular phone software developer

Lucent Technologies today announced that it has acquired privately held, Munich, Germany-based Optimay GmbH for approximately $65 million. Optimay specializes in the development of software products and services for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cellular phones-a market that is expected to grow from 65 million subscribers to 300 million by 2002. Optimay will become a subsidiary of Lucent.

Lucent said the acquisition is consistent with its Microelectronics Group's strategy to expand its position as a leading supplier of chip sets for GSM cellular phones. These chip sets incorporate Lucent's state-of-the-art digital signal processor (DSP) technology. Optimay's software technology controls the cellular phone's call processing and user interface functions. By bundling Lucent's GSM chips with Optimay's associated software technology, Lucent will provide cellular phone manufacturers with one-stop shopping for GSM technology.

"Until now, cellular phone manufacturers often had to deal with several different companies for silicon and software. Now they have a single contact-Lucent," said John Dickson, president of Lucent's Microelectronics Group. "Just as it is helpful to buy bundled software with your PC to avoid compatibility and integration problems, so it is also advantageous for a cellular phone manufacturer to buy the telephone's silicon and software from one company."

Author Notes:

Yen Hung contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.