Avnet Embedded and KORE Enter Service Provider Agreement in the Americas

Deal Will Help Drive M2M Services Delivery

PHOENIX & ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KORE, the world’s largest wireless services provider specializing in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Avnet Embedded, a division of Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas, a business region of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT). This agreement covers the global KORE network, which is comprised of cellular and satellite services and powers M2M applications across a number of industries, including healthcare, utilities, enterprise IT, transaction processing and fleet management.

Under the service provider agreement, Avnet Embedded will now offer its customers based in the Americas region, including those in emerging M2M markets in Latin America, access to the KORE network, featuring the most ubiquitous and reliable connectivity in the industry. Avnet Embedded customers on the KORE network will benefit from the Company’s global cellular and satellite network, Global Connect, and KORE’s intelligent pricing program, IntelliRate, which is based on patterns in data usage rates. KORE provides unified control and management for its cellular network with service delivery in more than 180 countries worldwide and maritime and remote location coverage with satellite network services to deliver truly global M2M connectivity for connected devices.

“This agreement allows Avnet Embedded to offer our customers access to the leading M2M network for cellular and satellite connectivity,” said Chuck Kostalnick, senior vice president, Avnet Embedded. “KORE’s unmatched industry expertise and proven service and support model provides our customers with the most innovative and effective method for harnessing the power of M2M connectivity to deliver applications that drive business efficiencies and deliver new revenue streams.”

“Global connectivity via cellular and satellite networks is driving M2M growth in emerging vertical markets, such as telehealth, fleet tracking, digital signage and payment processing, and our partnership with Avnet Embedded will help expand the use of the KORE network across an increasing number of global enterprises,” said Robert Metzler, executive vice president of sales and marketing, KORE Telematics. “With its strong market presence -- particularly in Latin America -- Avnet Embedded will help M2M solution providers realize the power of KORE to reliably and cost-effectively deliver their M2M applications to the marketplace.”

About KORE

KORE is the world’s largest wireless network provider specializing exclusively on the rapidly expanding global machine-to-machine (M2M) communications market. Providing unified control and management for cellular network service delivery in more than 180 countries worldwide, KORE empowers its application, hardware and wireless operator partners to efficiently deliver M2M solutions for connected devices across the globe. M2M applications in industries as diverse as healthcare, utilities, enterprise IT, transaction processing and fleet management rely on the KORE network to deliver operational efficiencies and cost savings. KORE offers a range of technologies — including GSM, HSPA, CDMA and EV-DO — that ensures the greatest possible reliability and coverage. For more information, please visit www.koretelematics.com.

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. that serves electronic original equipment manufacturers (EOEMs) and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers in more than 70 countries, distributing electronic components from leading manufacturers and providing associated design-chain and supply-chain services. The group’s website is located at www.em.avnet.com.

About Avnet

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 Company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers globally. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, Avnet generated revenue of $25.7 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com. Visit Avnet’s Investor Relations Website at www.ir.avnet.com or contact us at investorrelations@avnet.com.

Schwartz MSL
Keith Giannini or Rob Skinner, 781-684-0770
kore@schwartzmsl.com

Source: KORE

Released January 30, 2013