CTI Group Acquires a Leading UK Provider of Mobile Billing Solutions - Ryder Systems Ltd

CTI Group (Holdings) Inc, an international provider of electronic and on-line billing solutions and developer of VoIP business applications, announced that it has acquired Ryder Systems Ltd for approximately $11.0 million.

Ryder Systems Ltd, located in Blackburn, UK, is a European market leader in the provision of electronic and on-line billing services to telecommunications service providers principally in the mobile phone market.

Ryder's products: Analysis, SplitBill and Dynamic Reports are provided to blue-chip mobile phone service providers, including Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, Verizon, eircom and Opal Telecoms in 6 countries across Europe. They provide business users the capability to manage their mobile and broadband services with the benefit of considerable cost savings to business users and service providers as well as increased customer retention for the latter. Ryder's products are provided as hosted, licensed and managed solutions with a recurring license business model. Since addressing this market in 2000, Ryder Systems has experienced annual revenue growth rates of greater than 20%. European legislation requiring businesses to accurately differentiate personal and business mobile use for tax purposes ensures a compelling business case to incorporate Ryder solutions in every enterprise business workflow. Ryder Systems' products are used by over 10,000 enterprises including most of the Times 100.

"This is a compelling strategic transaction that we expect will provide significant synergies between both companies and affords growth opportunities for our customers and shareholders," said John Birbeck, CTI Group's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Our SmartBill electronic bill management systems are successful in the USA in the fixed-line market, whilst Ryder's products are thriving in Europe in the mobile phone market. By integrating our operations and migrating both products to the new markets with the same resources, we have the opportunity to leverage the maximum from both markets. CTI Group's VoIP applications for both IP Centrex and end user systems will also gain new market opportunities as VoIP and mobile services merge," said Mr. Birbeck.

"We expect the addition of Ryder to CTI Group will enable us to become a world leader in electronic and on-line bill presentment and analysis in the business telecoms market. We believe these markets will continue to grow with the introduction of more VoIP and media content in mobile services to enterprises, making it essential to manage and optimize these disparate communications systems and networks," enthused Mr. Birbeck.

"As we execute this acquisition we intend to maintain the momentum to create innovative products and penetrate new markets to achieve our growth objectives. We expect these initiatives combined with the transaction will position CTI Group for sustained value creation," said John Birbeck.

"CTI Group shares our goal to dominate the telecommunications business electronic bill management market," said Andrew Wilson, VP Sales and Marketing for Ryder Systems. "Our combined strength in this market in addition to CTI's new developments in the expanding VoIP applications market allows us to enhance our offerings to our global service provider customer base," said Mr. Wilson.

"Ryder Systems has a strong team with a great business model and a record of innovations in their market," continued John Birbeck. "We welcome Ryder Systems' team into CTI Group and anticipate they will continue their growth momentum and success."

Press contact:
Rob Boella, Livewire Public Relations, 32 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 6HX. T: 020 8339 7440 F: 020 8339 7441 Email: rob.boella@livewirepr.com
Website: www.livewirepr.com

Company contact:
Melanie Embery, Marketing Executive, Ryder Systems Ltd, Daisyfield Business Centre, Appleby Street, Blackburn, Lancashire. T: 01254 291 500 F: 01254 291 504
Website: www.rydersystems.com