Empresas y finanzas

Redback to Be Acquired by Ericsson for $2.1 Billion



    Redback Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: RBAK), a market leader in
    multi-service edge routing for next generation broadband networks, is
    today announcing a definitive agreement to be acquired by Ericsson
    (NASDAQ: ERIC), the world's leading telecommunications supplier, for
    $2.1 billion or $25 dollars per Redback share. The acquisition is
    expected to occur by means of a tender offer for all of the
    outstanding shares of Redback common stock. The acquisition is subject
    to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, and is
    expected to be completed in early 2007.

    The acquisition of Redback will play a key role in Ericsson's
    strategy to help telecommunications carriers lower costs and upgrade
    their networks for broadband, telephone, video and mobility services.
    Redback will retain its management team and operate as a wholly-owned
    subsidiary of Ericsson. In accordance with the acquisition, Redback
    plans to accelerate its product development and continue to expand its
    operations to meet growing customer demands for next generation
    broadband networks. Redback will continue to focus on video and
    mobility routing markets to leap-frog its traditional competitors.

    "This agreement is about accelerating market growth, integrating
    IP routing and mobility expertise and shaping the future of next
    generation networks. Video changes everything about networks today.
    Redback is the acknowledged technology leader delivering broadband,
    phone, video and mobility services over Internet-based
    infrastructures," said Kevin DeNuccio, Redback president and CEO, who
    will report directly to a management board chaired by the president
    and CEO of Ericsson, Carl-Henric Svanberg. "We believe Redback now
    will have the global reach and financial resources to accelerate its
    own routing technology innovation and grow market share faster than
    our traditional routing competitors."

    "Redback has always had a well-known technology advantage over its
    larger routing competitors in broadband services edge routing," said
    Carl-Henric Svanberg of Ericsson. "We believe the combined strengths
    of both companies in mobility and IP routing will create significant
    value for customers and shareholders. Today's agreement accelerates
    Ericsson's ambition to build leadership in the fast growing broadband
    and IP services market."

    The total addressable market for IP edge routing is expected to
    exceed $5 billion by 2009, according to the Yankee Group. Ericsson and
    Redback believe there is market opportunity to upgrade more than two
    billion wired and wireless users worldwide over the next ten years to
    all IP-based broadband infrastructures. This opportunity is ten times
    larger than the 250 million broadband users today. On a worldwide
    basis, all carriers have some plans to unify communications and
    entertainment services over IP-based broadband networks.

    Citigroup and SEB Enskilda are acting as Ericsson's financial
    advisors in the acquisition. UBS is acting as the financial advisor
    for Redback.

    About Redback Networks

    Redback Networks Inc. manages 50 million broadband connections for
    15 of the top 20 telephone carriers worldwide. Redback's multi-service
    routing platform delivers next generation broadband services such as
    VoIP, IPTV and On-Demand Video. Redback Networks has more than 500
    carrier customers worldwide and is based in San Jose, CA. In 2006,
    Redback marks its 10 year anniversary, celebrating ten years of
    broadband innovation. For more information, visit Redback Networks at
    www.redback.com.

    Redback Media Relations

    Zenobia Austin Godschalk, BPR

    (w) 404.848.9507

    (c) 650.269.8315

    About Ericsson

    Ericsson is shaping the future of mobile and broadband Internet
    communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing
    innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping
    to create some of the most powerful communications companies in the
    world. For more information visit: www.ericsson.com

    Ericsson Media Relations

    Phone: +46 8 719 6992

    E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

    Investor Relations, North America

    Phone: +1 212 843 8435

    E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com

    CONFERENCE CALL

    Meeting Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 08:00 AM (Pacific Time)

    To Join Audio Conference

    Primary Dial-In: 1 (800) 559-2403

    Alternate Dial-In: 1 (847) 619-6534

    Please be prepared to provide the following information to gain
    access to your audio conference call.

    Confirmation Number: 16614405

    Host Name: Kevin DeNuccio

    Company: Redback Networks, Inc

    A webcast has been set-up for press and industry analysts. The
    weblink is below.

    http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=80
    517&eventID=1443118 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be
    copied/pasted into you Internet browser's address field. Remove the
    extra space if one exists.)

    * REDBACK and SmartEdge are trademarks registered at the U.S.
    Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. NetOp is a
    trademark of Redback Networks Inc. All other products or services
    mentioned are the trademark, service marks, registered trademarks or
    registered service marks of their respective owners.

    THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT
    AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY
    SECURITIES. THE SOLICITATION AND THE OFFER TO BUY SHARES OF REDBACK
    COMMON STOCK WILL ONLY BE MADE PURSUANT TO AN OFFER TO PURCHASE AND
    RELATED MATERIALS THAT ERICSSON INTENDS TO FILE WITH THE SECURITIES
    AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. REDBACK STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER INVESTORS
    SHOULD READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT
    INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. ONCE
    FILED, REDBACK STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER INVESTORS WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN
    COPIES OF THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 'TO', THE OFFER TO
    PURCHASE AND RELATED DOCUMENTS WITHOUT CHARGE FROM THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE COMMISSION THROUGH THE COMMISSION'S WEB SITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV.
    REDBACK STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER INVESTORS ALSO WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN
    COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS, WITHOUT CHARGE, FROM THE INFORMATION AGENT
    FOR THE OFFER, THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER, OR FROM ERICSSON.
    STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THOSE
    MATERIALS PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER.

    Statements in this release that are not statements of historical
    fact may include forward looking statements within the meaning of
    Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E
    of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such
    forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor
    provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
    Such forward-looking statements include statements concerning the
    completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement,
    including the merger and the timing thereof and the business
    opportunities afforded by the merger. Important factors that may cause
    actual results to differ include: risks that could prevent or delay
    the closing of the transaction, including customary conditions to
    closing an acquisition transaction of this type, including obtaining
    requisite regulatory clearances, and acceptance of the offer by
    holders of a sufficient number of shares of Redback common stock. For
    a discussion of other risks facing Redback's business, please refer to
    the documents filed by Redback Networks Inc. with the United States
    Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.