EDB and Telenor in negotiations with IBM on a strategic agreement

(Oslo, 16 September 2004) EDB Business Partner and Telenor have decided to commence final negotiations with IBM intending to enter a comprehensive strategic agreement, that will include making IBM a partner for EDB and Telenor in the companies' intended technology consolidation. Final negotiations will commence immediately.

Following a detailed review process, EDB and Telenor have decided to enter into final negotiations with one of the two suppliers still under consideration, IBM and HP. Choosing IBM is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the three main areas that will make up the final agreement. The areas are technological strength, commercial and financial terms and conditions, and the framework and terms for a new, strategic collaboration.
 
If IBM does not reach final agreement with EDB and Telenor, the companies will have the opportunity to enter into final negotiations with HP.
 
"We are keen to find a framework for collaboration at a strategic level that will ensure the development of competitive and forward-looking solutions for both Telenor and EDB. IBM will be an excellent partner for us in this respect. Moreover, as a supplier of outsourcing services, it is essential that EDB can offer operating services for a range of technology from different suppliers and that we maintain our expertise for these platforms. An agreement with IBM will also take this into account", explains EDBs Group CEO Endre Rangnes. "We believe that collaboration with IBM will secure EDB's competitiveness, strengthen the foundation for profitable growth and at the same time offer attractive solutions for our customers", adds Rangnes.
 
 
 
Any enquiries may be addressed to:
Reidar Gjærum, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications. Tel: +47 908 55 101

EDB Business Partner is one of the leading suppliers of IT operations and software in the Nordic region. The company provides industry-leading total solutions in the areas of banking and finance, telecommunications and IT operations. EDB's objective is to contribute to its customers' value creation by offering productivity-enhancing IT solutions combined with flexible and reliable operating solutions with unique economies of scale. EDB Business Partner has some 2,500 employees and reported turnover of NOK 4.3 billion in 2003. EDB is represented in Norway, Sweden, the USA, England, Spain and Switzerland. EDB Business Partner ASA is listed on Oslo Børs with the ticker code EDBASA.