Norway-headquartered Colibria, which provides instant messaging, presence and network address book solutions to the mobile industry, has been acquired by Metaswitch Networks, which also offers services and applications to operators. The terms aren’t being disclosed. Colibria has previously received investment from Verdane Capital, Ferd Venture, and Bjørgvin.
Colibria provides scalable solutions for mobile instant messaging, real-time social networking and other value-added content services targeted at operators who in turn can offer these to consumers. It’s main pitch is interoperability between devices and platforms and helping operators “turn up the heat” and compete with so-called ‘over-the-top’ applications and services i.e. direct consumer-facing offerings from Internet players and independent app developers.
On that note, Kevin DeNuccio, CEO at Metaswitch Networks, explains the thinking behind the acquisition: “The way people communicate is quickly evolving from just voice and text to a new, richer set of social interaction and contextual calling services. Metaswitch is in the middle of this transformation, helping service providers address these demands and putting their brand front and center in the new communications experience.”
Colibria’s existing customers include Telefonica, TMN Portugal, Telia Sonera and Maxis. Colibria partners with others in the Instant Messaging and Presence space including Acision, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Motorola.
Metaswitch says it will continue to invest in and support Colibria’s brand, products and strategic industry partnerships. Colibria CEO, Lars Myhrum, will take up the role as General Manager for Metaswitch’s presence in Norway, with responsibility for the ongoing development of Colibria’s product line.