ESPOO, Finland, Dec. 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In order to comply with U.S. regulations, Nokia is required to remind holders of Alcatel-Lucent securities that it has the option, on the date of the announcement of the final results of the exchange offer and in its sole discretion, subject to the terms and conditions of the public exchange offer, to waive the minimum tender condition of the exchange offer to 50% of the Alcatel-Lucent share capital and voting rights (taking into account Alcatel-Lucent convertible bonds tendered into the exchange offer). The minimum tender condition is set at more than 50% of the Alcatel-Lucent shares on a fully diluted basis. Holders of Alcatel-Lucent securities are advised that they have the right to withdraw tendered Alcatel-Lucent securities immediately, if their willingness to tender would be affected by the option to exercise the waiver. Withdrawal rights of the holders of Alcatel Lucent ordinary shares and convertible bonds will terminate at the expiration date of the exchange offer (currently, 11:00AM New York time (5:00PM Paris time) on December 23, 2015) and withdrawal rights of the holders of Alcatel Lucent American depositary shares will terminate at the ADS tender deadline (currently, 5:00PM New York time on December 22, 2015).
This announcement does not constitute a reduction or waiver of the minimum tender condition at this time; nor does it indicate an intention by Nokia to exercise its option to waive the minimum tender condition in the future; nor does it indicate current acceptance levels of the exchange offer.
Nokia remains fully committed to its proposed combination with Alcatel-Lucent which is expected to create a global leader in next generation technology and services for an IP connected world. Nokia firmly believes that the proposed transaction is in the best interests of both Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia shareholders.
Documentation relating to the public exchange offer and the related listing of shares is available on Nokia's website at http://company.nokia.com/en/investors/financi...ansaction/ .
About Nokia
By focusing on the human possibilities of technology, Nokia embraces the connected world to help people thrive. Our businesses are leaders in their respective fields: Nokia Networks provides broadband infrastructure, software and services; and Nokia Technologies provides advanced technology development and licensing. www.nokia.com
Media Enquiries Nokia Communications Tel. +358 (0) 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com
Investor Enquiries Nokia Investor Relations Tel. +358 4080 3 4080 Email: investor.relations@nokia.com
Microsite details
Further information on the transaction can be found at: www.newconnectivity.com
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This stock exchange release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Nokia's and Alcatel Lucent's current expectations and views of future events and developments. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by terms and phrases such as "may," "will," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to: waiver of the minimum tender condition and timing of the availability of information concerning the minimum tender condition. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of future performance, taking into account the information currently available to us. These statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and views of future events and developments. Risks and uncertainties include: the success of the exchange offer and timely compliance with the logistics of the exchange offer process in accordance with applicable regulations, as well as other risk factors listed from time to time in Nokia's and Alcatel Lucent's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
The forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere, including the Risk Factors section of the Registration Statement (as defined below), Nokia's and Alcatel Lucent's most recent annual reports on Form 20-F, reports furnished on Form 6-K, and any other documents that Nokia or Alcatel Lucent have filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements made in this stock exchange release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us or our business or operations. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This stock exchange release relates to the public exchange offer by Nokia to exchange all of the ordinary shares, American depositary shares ("ADSs") and convertible securities issued by Alcatel Lucent for new ordinary shares and ADSs of Nokia. This stock exchange release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or exchange, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange, any ordinary shares, ADSs or convertible securities of Alcatel Lucent, nor is it a substitute for the Tender Offer Statement on Scheduled TO; the Registration Statement on Form F-4 (the "Registration Statement") (Registration No. 333- 206365) or the Solicitation / Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 each filed with the SEC, the listing prospectus and listing prospectus supplement of Nokia filed with the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority or Nokia's offer document ( note d'information ) and Alcatel Lucent's response document ( note en réponse ) filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers ("AMF") on October 29, 2015 and which received the visa of the AMF on November 12, 2015 (including the letters of transmittal and related documents and as amended and supplemented from time to time, the "Exchange Offer Documents"). No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. The tender offer is being made only through the Exchange Offer Documents.
The making of the exchange offer to specific persons who are residents in or nationals or citizens of jurisdictions outside France or the United States or to custodians, nominees or trustees of such persons (the "Excluded Shareholders") may be made only in accordance with the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of the Excluded Shareholders wishing to accept an exchange offer to inform themselves of and ensure compliance with the laws of their respective jurisdictions in relation to the proposed exchange offer. The exchange offer will be made only through the Exchange Offer Documents.
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE EXCHANGE OFFER DOCUMENTS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT NOKIA OR ALCATEL LUCENT HAS FILED OR MAY FILE WITH THE SEC, AMF, NASDAQ HELSINKI OR FINNISH FINANCIAL SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING THE PROPOSED EXCHANGE OFFER.
The information contained in this stock exchange release must not be published, released or distributed, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction where the publication, release or distribution of such information is restricted by laws or regulations. Therefore, persons in such jurisdictions into which these materials are published, released or distributed must inform themselves about and comply with such laws or regulations. Nokia and Alcatel Lucent do not accept any responsibility for any violation by any person of any such restrictions.
The Exchange Offer Documents and other documents referred to above, if filed or furnished by Nokia or Alcatel Lucent with the SEC, as applicable, are available free of charge at the SEC's website ( www.sec.gov ).
Nokia's offer document ( note d'information ) and Alcatel Lucent's response document ( note en réponse ), which received visa No. 15-573 and No. 15-574 respectively from the AMF, containing detailed information with regard to the exchange offer, are available on the websites of the AMF ( www.amf-france.org ), Nokia ( www.nokia.com ) and Alcatel Lucent ( www.alcatel-lucent.com ).
HUG#1972928
