Penetration into Europe, product portfolio expansion - ACL looking for key investors
by G. Rambabu
The Hindu Business Line , NEW DELHI, April 17, 2003

ACL Wireless Ltd, provider of wireless instant messaging and presence applications to mobile operators across Asia, is on the lookout for strategic investors to help enhance its product portfolio and expand into the European market.

According to Mr Sanjay K. Goyal, CEO, ACL Wireless, having notched up significant deals for its instant messaging applications in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, the company is now seeking to make its presence felt in Europe - the hub of GSM operators. The equity base of the company is to be expanded by roping in international telecom vendors. This will not only help in its foray into the West, but also enable it to expand its portfolio of products to cater to the enterprise segment.

As of now, a majority of the equity of ACL Wireless is held by Mr Goyal, while the minority share is with the Hong Kong-based venture capitalist - Inter Asia Venture Management (IAVM).

"ACL's mission lies in being Asia's leading developer and provider of a wireless instant messaging and presence application to mobile operators. We pioneered the concept of instant messaging from wireless devices. And we are the first company in Asia and among the first in the world to successfully develop and commercially launch such a product. Our flagship product, ACL Wireless Instant Messenger (ACL WIM), lets users communicate instantly through SMS, PCs or Web-enabled wireless devices with people on mobile networks, desktop IMs and email. It provides users a superior messaging service and enables operators to generate higher revenues by leveraging existing network resources," Mr Goyal said.

He said that the company had already developed business, marketing and technology partnerships and affiliations with world's leading organisations, which enable it to maintain the lead in adopting new wireless technologies and marketing products across the globe.

Nokia has selected ACL for its Net Point Program, which allows ACL to market its product worldwide through Nokia's Global Network. SmartTrust, with presence in over 25 countries and having 80 operators as their clients, has partnered with ACL to put WIM application on its Wireless Internet Browser.

"ACL has successfully marketed ACL WIM to seven leading mobile operators in Asia, whose combined subscriber base exceeds 10 million. Several other leading operators, with over 20 million subscribers have evaluated ACL WIM successfully and are considering service offer to their subscribers. The future plans include accessing markets in Europe, West Asia and Africa, thereby establishing a global presence," he said.

Mr Goyal noted that while instant messaging for the mobile consumers was fast catching up and destined to do well in India where SMS had already become a craze, the enterprise segment would be more lucrative. The company was therefore working on newer WIM applications for this segment and was also looking at partnering with other big companies who already cater to the enterprises.