Brightstar Expands Business With Acquisition Of The Commerce & Services Division Of SoftBank BB Corp.

-- Global Wireless Services Leader to Expand Mobile Accessory Portfolio and Grow Presence in Japan

MIAMI, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightstar Corp., today announced it will acquire the Commerce and Services (C&S) division of Tokyo-based SoftBank BB Corp. (SBB), a leading distributor of information and communications technology (ICT) hardware and software products, and mobile accessories in Japan.

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Upon completion of the acquisition, which is expected to take place in April 2014, the new company will be named SoftBank Commerce & Services Corp. and also become a subsidiary of Brightstar. The acquisition is expected to grow Brightstar's presence in Japan and increase the company's revenues by $3 billion on an annualized basis.

For more than 30 years, SBB's C&S division has operated as one of the leading IT-related distributors in Japan, serving consumer and corporate customers via a variety of third party channels including mobile operators, mobile retailers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and system integrators. Today, SBB C&S is also a leading distributor of mobile device accessories and device related services.

Through the acquisition, Brightstar will become the primary global distributor for the SoftBank SELECTION brand mobile products, which feature more than 765 high-quality mobile accessories. The SoftBank SELECTION portfolio includes device cases and chargers, "Covercolle" for original design covers, and mobile peripherals such as Bluetooth® products and TV tuners, among others. Brightstar plans to expand distribution of the SoftBank SELECTION product lines to its mobile operator and retailer customers worldwide.

"SBB is a leading IT product and mobile accessory distributor in Japan and we plan to fully leverage the company's strong position, as well as its design and manufacturing capabilities, to expand sales of the SoftBank SELECTION products globally," said Marcelo Claure, Founder and CEO of Brightstar Corp. "We will also take advantage of the great synergy between Brightstar's and SBB's strategic wireless services platforms to drive greater value to customers in Japan."

SBB is also a leading enterprise hardware and software distributor for major global and local brands in Japan. SoftBank Commerce & Services (C&S) will continue distribution, sales and support of the full suite of SBB C&S advanced technology hardware and software products, including servers, networking equipment, PCs and peripherals, and enterprise software solutions. The new company will remain headquartered in Tokyo.

About SoftBank BB Corp.
SoftBank BB Corp. is a member of the SoftBank Group, an internet-based innovator that operates a wide range of sector-leading business. SoftBank BB's main businesses include Broadband Infrastructure and Commerce & Service for IT-related products.

About Brightstar
Brightstar is the world's largest specialized wireless distributor and a leading provider of diversified services focused on enhancing the performance and results of the key participants in the wireless device value chain: manufacturers, operators and retailers. For more information, please visit http://www.brightstarcorp.com.