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Datacasting to Sell Storm Internet Subsidiary Deal Valued
at up to $3.7 Million
OTTAWA, ON, August 1, 2003 - International Datacasting
(TSX:IDC) announced today that it has entered into an agreement
to sell its wholly-owned ISP subsidiary Storm Internet Services
to 4177347 Canada Incorporated.
The transaction, which will be in the form of a share purchase,
is expected to close by 28 August, 2003, subject to the satisfaction
of customary conditions including the receipt of any necessary
regulatory approvals. The value to IDC in cash and other considerations
is between $3.2 and $3.7 million, depending on the amount
of post-closing cash royalty obligations payable to IDC. This
transaction covers Storm Internet and its wholly-owned subsidiary
CDS Prometheus. The remainder of IDCs service business
(a satellite teleport which services among others the Canadian
Forces Radio and Television network) is not affected by the
sale.
IDC acquired Storm, a regional ISP, and CDS, a wireless systems
integrator, in 1999. Since then the business has expanded
and growntoday Storm has one of the largest broadband
wireless networks in North America.
IDC President and CEO Ron Clifton said, This is a win-win
deal for everyone. We originally acquired Storm to add to
our product and service portfolio and we are pleased with
what we have been able to accomplish with them in the last
few years. This deal will allow Storm to focus on their core
ISP business and will free them up to grow in that market
space. At the same time this will free up working capital
for IDC so that we can focus on the core broadband satellite
network business. We are at a crossroads with the new products
we have launched in the past year. They have generated a lot
of excitement and we are starting to see important new orders.
The proceeds from this deal will help fuel our growth going
forward.
We expect to continue to work together with Storm on
strategic opportunities, such as the Canadian Broadband Initiative,
building on the excellent working relationship that we have
developed over the past few years.
4177347 Canada Incorporated is a company formed by a group
of private strategic investors. Barry Williams, CEO and a
director of Storm is one of the principals of 4177347. As
such, the transaction is a related party transaction for the
purposes of Ontario Securities Commission Rule 61-501. IDC
will take all necessary steps to ensure that the transaction
complies with this Rule.
About Storm:
Storm Internet (Storm), a wholly owned subsidiary of International
Datacasting Corporation, provides a wide range of Internet
access services to residential and business users. An industry
leader in fixed-wireless connectivity, Storm currently maintains
one of the largest broadband wireless networks in North America,
covering approximately 35,000 square kilometers, spanning
more than 50 communities and municipalities. Storm is known
for providing consistent and highly reliable connectivity
as well as the dedication and care taken to maintain excellent
customer service. Visit Storm on the web at www.storm.ca.
International Datacasting Corp.:
IDC (TSX:IDC) provides advanced products, systems and services
for the implementation of broadband wireless infrastructure
networks used to distribute multimedia data. IDC is at the
forefront of delivering IP-based wireless data-casting solutions,
via both satellite and terrestrial "last-mile" technologies.
IDC's products are in demand for high-speed Internet infrastructure,
enterprise networks, distance learning, and multimedia content
distribution. IDC operates under a rigorous ISO9002 quality
management system and is the recipient of the prestigious
Canada Export Award for Innovation and Technology Achievement.
IDC is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. IDC also has an established
international network of partners and distributors and installations
in more than 45 countries worldwide. Visit IDC on the web
at www.intldata.ca.
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