Altobridge named as one of Ireland’s 25 Best Managed Companies

Company business model offers resilience in the current international telecoms market

Kerry Technology Park, Ireland, 4 March 2009 - Leading Irish mobile communications company, Altobridge, has been named as one of Ireland’s ‘Best Managed’ companies in the Deloitte ‘Best Managed Companies Awards’. In total, 25 companies were recognised at an awards gala dinner in the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt, which was attended by President McAleese, on 27 February 2009.

The Deloitte Best Managed Awards programme, in association with Bank of Scotland (Ireland), recognises indigenous Irish companies across the island of Ireland, which are operating at the highest levels of business performance. It is the only awards programme that considers companies from every perspective, including: strategy, capability, commitment, financials and growth potential across all key functions of the business.

Commenting on the award, Mike Fitzgerald, CEO, Altobridge, said, “Altobridge’s management team has demonstrated tremendous competence in successfully shifting from a direct to an indirect business model. We are already seeing that this model offers not only the ability to scale, but also a greater resilience from a cost perspective. As we cross the challenging waters of the international telecommunication market in 2009 this inaugural award offers great support for our efforts.”

Pat Cullen, Managing Partner, Deloitte, commented, “The tremendous success of the winning companies is an inspiration for all Irish companies. We are delighted to be able to recognise these strong business leaders of the future, who embody the immense talent across the island of Ireland.”

Paul Cunningham, Head of Banking, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and judging panel member, said, “The 25 best managed companies have shown great focus and dedication in what has been a difficult year for us all. 2009 will be just as tough for business, but the strong management capability, which these companies have already demonstrated, means they will be well positioned to trade through this challenging cycle. Bank of Scotland (Ireland) is very proud to be a part of recognising and supporting their achievements and we hope these companies will continue to flourish and succeed in the years ahead.”

The theme of this year’s awards ceremony was ‘A Tribute to Talent’. Given the changing business environment over the past year and the ensuing challenges that the winners have had to overcome through sound management practices, these companies further reinforce the strength of the talent that is present in Ireland.

The Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme is open to companies from all 32 counties on the island of Ireland. It is the only awards programme that considers a business’ performance from every perspective. Details of entry for the 2009 Awards will be issued in the coming weeks on www.deloittebestmanaged.ie.

The ‘Best Managed’ designation is an important marketing tool for the winning companies – but, perhaps most importantly, the awards provide a reason to celebrate the efforts of the entire company.

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Notes for editors

About Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards - www.deloittebestmanaged.ie

Launched in April 2008, the Deloitte Best Managed Companies programme, in association with Bank of Scotland (Ireland), has been developed to promote and recognise excellence in Irish-owned and managed companies. It is the only awards scheme on the island of Ireland that considers a business’ performance from every perspective. Entrants to the programme will compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices.

Programme sponsors include Back of Scotland (Ireland), the Irish Management Institute and the Sunday Business Post.

International History of Best Managed Companies Programme

The Best Managed Companies programme originated in Canada in 1993, where it has been run successfully ever since and is the country’s leading business awards programme. Ireland is the third country to run the programme following the launch of the awards in The Netherlands in 2007.

About Altobridge - www.altobridge.com
Headquartered at Kerry Technology Park, Ireland and with regional offices in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, USA and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Altobridge is a leading provider of telecommunications solutions that cut the cost of communications to/from and between wireless devices. The company’s patented Split-BSC Architecture (Access Management Gateway Platform) and Local Connectivity Platform cut backhaul costs to/from base station sites as well as providing local call switching at the base station site. These solutions have been successfully tested and deployed across the worlds wireless telecommunications networks as well as the following vertical markets: Remote Community/Enterprise, Aeronautical, Maritime, Secure and Emergency/First Responder wireless communication.

Altobridge licenses its software to the world leading wireless telecommunications vendors and Mobile Network Operators and can also provide fully managed services. Wireless operator clients include: Maxis (Remote Community), Mobicom (Remote Community), AeroMobile (Aeronautical GSM), Blue Ocean Wireless (Maritime GSM). Vendor clients include: Ericsson (Local Connectivity).

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For further information, contact:

Linda Hickey

Marketing & Communications Director

Altobridge Ltd
Kerry Technology Park

Tralee, Co. Kerry
Ireland

Tel: +353 66 719 0210
Fax: +353 66 719 0022

Email: info@altobridge.com

Contact Information

Tim Guest

Altobridge Corporate Communications

at Global Media & Analyst Relations

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