Extreme Mobile to get investment from billionaire
High profile Polish billionaire, Roman Karkosik, has pledged to invest $1 billion USD in mobile telecoms projects, including the development in the UK of the Extreme Mobile Ltd. mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and its sister company Advantage Cellular Communications Ltd, which comprises Advantage Business Solutions and Advantage Cellular.
Through Centernet, a telecoms company wholly owned by Mr Karkosik's Midas investment fund, the 56 year-old entrepreneur is currently planning to launch Poland's fifth national and first 3G mobile network.
Simon Earle, Chairman and Chief Executive of Xebra (the holding company for the Extreme/Advantage group of companies in the UK), first met with Mr Karkosik in Warsaw during December 2006.
"Following Poland's membership of the EU Mr Karkosik stated that he was keen to invest in an MVNO or mobile network operator (MNO) in the UK and Poland. With his inherent awareness of timing, recognition of market conditions and overall knowledge and experience of the financial markets, Mr Karkosik has an exemplary history of making successful investments. He is also acknowledged for having the vision to select the right business partners, so I was delighted to conclude the agreement, whereby Centernet now has an 80% share in Xebra Ltd.
"This investment will enable us to launch Extreme Mobile as an exciting new youth oriented MVNO and establish the Advantage companies as leaders in their field."
Mr Karkosik will visit the UK next month to perform the official opening of Advantage's modern warehouse and Operations Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire, in addition to viewing the new administration offices in Preston, Lancs.and Extreme Mobile's new office at Vintage Yard near to London Bridge.
John McFarnon, Group Managing Director added: "It is anticipated that the B2B market will show major growth over the next two to three years and Advantage Business Solutions has developed a comprehensive portfolio of products and services to facilitate the needs of the SME sector. The market is changing.
"The industry now needs to focus more clearly on fulfilling the needs of the customer; providing them with a range of products and services to allow mobile centric businesses to concentrate on developing core front end solutions. Advantage Cellular is the operations hub for the group and will establish a fresh new level of service for mobile resellers in the UK irrespective of their size and routes to market.
"This business will function more effectively than our competition. It's a start up with a new set of rules, procedures and a strong spirit all embedded in the philosophy of total professionalism with the emphasis on giving our customers a true advantage."
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