Facebook Buys Finnish Mobile Data Firm Pryte

Facebook has acquired Finnish mobile data firm Pryte, whose patent-pending technology measures real-time user activity, including app use, to trigger marketing and charging activity. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in Helsinki last year by a team of telecom and Internet execs, Pryte offers cloud-based technology which allows clients to buy mobile data on a per app basis, rather than in bulk. Mobile operators can segment and target consumers according to actual subscriber behavior, in order to launch app-based data plans and target promotions, incentives and loyalty offers.

Last year, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) announced the formation of a coalition of mobile tech companies called Internet.org, with the aim of connecting billions of people in developing countries who do not yet have Internet access. Commenting on its acquisition of Pryte, Facebook said in a statement: 'The Pryte team's deep industry experience working with mobile operators aligns closely with the initiatives we pursue with Internet.org, to partner with operators to bring affordable Internet access to the next five billion people, in a profitable way.'

Key members of Pryte's 30-strong team will join Facebook's offices in London and Singapore. In a statement on Pryte's web site, the company confirmed: 'We're joining Facebook, whose mission to connect the world by partnering with operators to bring people online in a profitable way aligns closely with our team's goals.'

Web sites: www.facebook.com and www.pryte.com .