Nokia Siemens Networks will buy Apertio, which specializes in network management applications for telecommunications operators, for €140 million ($205 million), the companies said Wednesday.

     Apertio will provide the new generation architecture and open real-time subscriber data platform for Nokia Siemens Networks’ portfolio, strengthening the company’s ability to help customers simplify their networks and manage their key asset – subscriber data. Seventy-six percent of communication service providers view consolidation of customer data as a critical challenge in delivering on the opportunities of convergence, according to Loudhouse Market Research.

     The acquisition builds on a pre-existing partnership, Nokia Siemens having already integrated its Home Location Register and Home Subscriber Server products with Apertio’s open platform to deliver a powerful subscriber management solution that is in deployment with leading operators.

     “The race is on to deliver seamless and highly targeted services to end-users across various access devices and this requires a unified approach to subscriber data” said Jürgen Walter, head of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Converged Core business unit. “Enabling access to this information in real-time means you can profile subscribers and deliver new services and advertising appropriately. Market entrants from the Internet world that are used to using real-time profiling are starting to play in the telecoms space and operators need to enable a personalised experience – today’s announcement gives Nokia Siemens Networks the opportunity to provide unique value to our customers in this growing area.”

    The deal is expected to close by May. When complete, Paul Magelli, Apertio's CEO, will head a new section within the Converged Core business of Nokia Siemens.