IDG News Service - Verizon Communications plans to buy cloud service provider Terremark Worldwide for about $1.4 billion in a deal that could significantly expand its cloud offerings for enterprises.
The carrier expects to launch a tender offer between Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 for all shares of Terremark's common stock. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction, but it is subject to Terremark shareholders tendering a majority of the company's stock, as well as regulatory approvals. Three stockholders have already agreed to tender a total of 27.6% of the stock, the companies said in a press release. Verizon expects to close the deal late in this quarter. Its offer of $19 per share represents a 35% premium over Terremark's closing share price on Thursday.
Terremark offers collocation, managed infrastructure and cloud computing services from 13 data centers in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. It serves large enterprises and U.S. government agencies with on-demand computing resources. Verizon, with 220 data centers in 23 countries, offers some cloud-based services today through its Verizon Business division. The carrier said Thursday it is moving toward an "everything-as-a-service" delivery model.
Verizon Business provides fat network pipes around the world to many large enterprises and is beginning to leverage those connections to provide services. For example, last year Verizon announced plans for a computing-as-a-service product designed to let subscribers easily move workloads between their own infrastructures and Verizon's. Earlier last year, the carrier launched a cloud-based storage service, relying at first on Nirvanix, an experienced vendor in the field.
If the Terremark acquisition is completed, Verizon will run the Miami-based business as a wholly owned subsidiary and maintain its name and current management team, the companies said.
In after-hours trading late Thursday, Terremark's shares on the Nasdaq (TMRK) were up $5.00 at $19.07. Verizon's stock (VZ) was down $0.02 to $36.47 on the New York Stock Exchange.
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