BEIJING, CHINA, May 17 , 2004 - SOHU.COM Inc. (Nasdaq:
SOHU), China's leading online media, communications, commerce and mobile
value-added services company, today announced it has entered into a definit iv e
agreement to acquire Beijing G. Feel Technology Co., Ltd. (‘Goodfeel') , a
leading Chinese provider of value added mobile data services for Wireless
Applications Protocol (WAP) . This acquisition will bring 800,000 monthly paying
subscribers of wireless value-added services , and strengthen the leading
position of SOHU in the Chinese wireless data market.
WAP is a rapidly growing area in the Chinese wireless data market. Goodfeel,
a Beijing-based WAP service provider, offers WAP services via China Mobile
Communication Corporation (CMCC) throughout China. CMCC, China's largest
wireless operator, allows subscribers Internet browsing on their mobile phones
through a quick and convenient ‘One Key Access' Monternet platform. Goodfeel is
one of the leading WAP service provider s to China Mobile , with its main
product being ringtone and picture logos. Goodfeel e njoys preferential menu
placement positioning on this Monternet platform, a key competitive advantage
relative to other service providers. According to the report from Goodfeel's
management team, the revenue for the 2003 reached US$1 million, while revenue
for the first quarter of 2004 exceeded US$1.3 million.
“Of China's nearly 300 million mobile phone users , a growing number of
mobile users are enjoying the fun of using WAP services. SOHU believes the next
generation services, in particularly WAP, will bring new growth momentum in the
wireless data market because of the enhanced audio-visual quality and
content-rich multi-media of value added services . At present, SOHU enjoys a
leading position in the short messaging services (SMS) and multimedia messaging
services (MMS) market. This acquisition will strengthen our differentiation in
cutting edge mobile value-added services offerings, providing an opportunity to
SOHU to develop services on various platforms for the wireless data market. ”
said Charles Zhang, Chairman and CEO of SOHU.com..
SOHU will pay US$18 million in cash for the deal upon closing .
“The acquisition of Goodfeel expands our WAP offerings with proven products
and services, which we believe will enable us to grow market share on the next
generation platforms of China's wireless data market,” said Victor Koo,
President and COO of SOHU.com
Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains
forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including
statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.
These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and
therefore you should not place undue reliance on them.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We
caution you that the events described in this press release should not be
interpreted as having any material effect on SOHU's revenues or profitability.
We further caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking
statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
SOHU's historical and possible future losses, limited operating history,
uncertain regulatory landscape in the People's Republic of China, fluctuations
in quarterly operating results, and the company's reliance on online advertising
sales, e-subscriptions (most of which are collected from a few telecom
operators) and e-commerce for its revenues. Further information regarding these
and other risks is included in SOHU's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year
ended December 31, 2003, Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2004 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About SOHU.com SOHU.com is the leading Internet portal in
Mainland China with current daily page views exceeding 12 million. It provides
navigation/search, news, sports, business and finance, real estate channel,
entertainment, chat, email and e-commerce activities for a solid and wide base
of visitors. Dr. Charles Zhang founded SOHU.com in 1997. Its investors include
Intel, Dow Jones, IDG, the Morningside China Group, PCCW, Legend and Hikari. Its
content partners include CNET, DOW Jones and dozens of local media organizations
in China.
For further information: Dahlia Wei SOHU Investor
Relations and Communications Tel: +86 10 6272 6598 E-mail:
ir@sohu-inc.com
http://www.sohu.com/about/English/ |