DoCoMo Digital, a 100 per cent-owned subsidiary of Japan's NTT DoCoMo, said it has decided to launch a public tender offer with the aim of acquiring all outstanding shares in Net Mobile.
The German company, which specialises in mobile payment and mobile value-added services, is already 87 per cent owned by DoCoMo Digital. The new offer is expected to be €6.50 ($7.08) per outstanding share.
In a statement, DoCoMo Digital said the management board of Net Mobile has indicated its support for the offer. The offer documentation will be published on Jan. 14 under the current plan.
DoCoMo has owned Net Mobile since 2009. The German company was first founded in November 2000 and counts national and international mobile operators, media and blue chip companies as well as TV channels among its clients. It develops white label services such as direct carrier billing, mobile payment and mobile TV services.
Recent announcements in Europe include the launch of Microsoft carrier billing for O2 Czech Republic, enabling Windows Phone users to pay for apps and other digital goods via their mobile phone bill.
Net Mobile also recently decided to end its operational activities in voice services. At the end of 2015, it announced the management buyout of its 100 per cent-owned subsidiary First Telecom, including First Communication and United Payment. The new owner is now called First Business Beteiligungs.
Edgar Schnorpfeil, CEO of Net Mobile, said voice solutions are no longer part of its core strategy but noted that the company would continue to work closely with First Telecom, "since there are still synergies in the areas of customers, products and technology platforms."
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