Esmertec Announces Sale of Majority Stake in Japanese Subsidiary



    Esmertec(TM) (SWX:ESMN), a focused provider of software and
    services to communications device manufacturers and mobile telecom
    operators, announced today that the management and employees of
    Esmertec KK (Tokyo) have formed a partnership and have purchased a 62%
    stake in Esmertec KK, Esmertec's subsidiary in Japan, reducing
    Esmertec AG's interest in the Japanese company to slightly under 20%.
    The remaining shares in Esmertec KK continue to be held by certain
    sellers of eValley, a predecessor company to Esmertec KK. The
    transaction is effective as of September 29, 2006.

    The sale of the majority stake in its Japanese subsidiary is
    consistent with Esmertec's strategy of focusing its global sales
    efforts through direct sales channels in strategic markets. The
    management buy-out will support Esmertec in its efforts to optimize
    its cost structure while efficiently addressing the Japanese market
    through a dedicated reseller who knows Esmertec's products and
    markets. Consequently Esmertec KK will continue to be the exclusive
    reseller of Esmertec Mobile and Multimedia software products in Japan.

    "The management buy-out is a great opportunity for our management
    team to continue to build a successful business from a solid base",
    stated Naoki Iizuka, CEO of Esmertec KK. "There is a strong and
    growing market opportunity for an embedded software solution provider
    in Japan and our technology and products are the best fit for this
    market."

    Jean-Claude Martinez, CEO of Esmertec AG, commented: "This
    transaction allows us to focus our resources on key markets where we
    continue to strengthen our sales force. Japan remains an attractive
    market and we will continue to cooperate with Naoki Iizuka and the
    Esmertec KK team in the future. Our existing customers will experience
    the same high service level they have been receiving from Esmertec."

    The purchase of Esmertec KK shares was financed by a combination
    of cash and debt. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the
    financial details. The transaction is not expected to have any
    material impact on Esmertec AG's financial results for the year ending
    December 31, 2006.

    This communication contains forward-looking statements based on
    current expectations and assumptions of the company's management only,
    and involve certain risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking
    statements contained herein could be substantially impacted by risks
    and influences that are not foreseeable at present, so that actual
    results may vary materially from those anticipated, expected, or
    projected. Esmertec disclaims any intention or obligation to update
    and revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
    information, future events or otherwise.

    Esmertec, Jbed and OSVM are trademarks of Esmertec AG. Java is a
    trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Other names may be trademarks of
    their respective owners.

    About Esmertec

    Esmertec is a focused provider of software and services to
    communications device manufacturers and mobile telecom operators. The
    company provides software platforms that enable the deployment of
    content and applications in devices and over servers. Customers
    include mobile telecom operators and manufacturers of mobile handsets,
    set-top boxes and interactive televisions. Esmertec's software and
    service capabilities excel with its reliability as well as fast and
    local execution. Founded in 1999, Esmertec is headquartered in Zurich,
    Switzerland with subsidiaries in China, France, Japan, South Korea,
    and the USA, and offices in Taiwan and the UK. Since 2005, Esmertec
    has been listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (ESMN). www.esmertec.com