Media Release
Milan - 26 November 2005
Channel 7 acquisition
3 Italia and the Profit Group have announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of Channel 7 by 3 Italia. Channel 7 holds a network license for national digital TV distribution on terrestrial frequencies.
This transaction enables 3 Italia to implement a DVB-H network for its 4,8 million clients (data from September 30, 2005) and to develop a Pay-TV and interactive services offer for videophones with the combined UMTS/DVB-H technology. Furthermore, 3 Italia becomes the first Italian mobile video company able to offer DVB-H services on its own network.
DVB-H broadcasting for 3 Italia's customers is expected to begin in second half of 2006.
The new mobile digital platform will provide full content mobility for customers within the coverage area and a standard of video quality comparable to DVD. By integrating DVB-H technology with 3 Italia's UMTS network, 3 Italia will offer a powerful, convergent and interactive system for personal communication.
3 Italia IPO
After a consultation with Consob and Borsa Italiana, 3 Italia is working on the necessary integration to the business plan, with the aim of finalizing the IPO process, presently on going, likely in Q1 of 2006.
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities nor is it calculated to invite any such offer or invitation. In particular, this announcement is not an offer of securities for sale in Hong Kong, the United States or elsewhere. There will be no public offering of 3 Italia Shares in the United States or in any other jurisdiction other than Italy and Hong Kong.
This announcement is for distribution in the United Kingdom only to (i) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) high net worth entities falling within article 49(2)(a) to (e) of the Order (all such persons being together referred to as "relevant persons"). This document is directed only at relevant persons. Other persons should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. This announcement is confidential and is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced, redistributed or passed on to any other person or published, in whole or in part, for any other purpose.
The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution in the United States of America. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under that Act or an available exemption from it. Any public offering of securities in the United States requires the publication of a prospectus by the issuer of such securities containing detailed information about the issuer and its management, as well as the issuer's financial statements.
The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution in Canada, South Africa, Australia or Japan and does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Canada, South Africa, Australia or Japan.
3 Italia S.p.A.
It is the Mobile Media Company controlled by the Hutchison Whampoa Group shareholder of 94,5%. Its other shareholders are NHS Investments S.A (San Paolo IMI), RCS Media Group, Gemina and 3G Mobile Investments (Franco Bernabe Group). 3 Italia won a UMTS license in Italy in October 2000, commenced offering of its services in March 2003 and is now the leader of the UMTS market in Italy, with 4,8 million clients on 30 September 2005, thanks to a wide offer of multimedia, video communication and internet services, besides entertainment, music, information, cinema, sport and TV on the move.
Contacts:
Gian Marco Litrico
Media and External Relations Director
Tel. +39 02 44581
gianmarco.litrico@h3g.it