HTC Invests In Multimedia Delivery Platform Company Saffron Digital

Smartphone maker HTC this morning announced that it has made a ‘strategic investment’ of undisclosed size in London, UK-based Saffron Digital, which specializes in the delivery of digital multimedia. HTC is a Saffron customer, and is apparently impressed with its future business potential.

Current shareholders in Saffron Digital include Beringea, NewSmith Capital and Duet Asset Management.

Update: PaidContent reports that the investment size was £30 million (roughly $48 million).

HTC chief executive Peter Chou rationalizes the investment thusly:

“Saffron Digital has developed an incredible expertise in mobile multimedia delivery. This ability to deliver optimised content in the future will be a key asset as content becomes more and more complex and localised.”

Saffron Digital ‘s multimedia delivery technology is integrated into products and services by HTC but also by many of its rivals, including LG, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Nokia.

The company is operational in 26 countries and 14 languages, and boasts partnerships with companies like Microsoft and Widevine.

The company says it will continue to provide services to these and other third-party partners.

HTC’s investment will allow the company to expand globally, enter new markets like Asia and new sectors such as music and games delivery, says Shashi Fernando, CEO of Saffron Digital.

The company’s headquarters will stay in London and Los Angeles, while its management team will remain intact going forward.