Rating: The move also has implications for ad-supported data
Two giants in the world of mobile data optimisation - Opera Software and Skyfire Labs are to combine. Opera intends to acquire Skyfire by mid-March [2013]. Significantly, the move will help to boost the range of solutions that both companies can offer to mobile network operators. The pair have agreed, however, that the development of Skyfire’s own popular mobile browser will continue. It will also enhance Opera’s presence in North America and bolster its mobile advertising solutions.
In the USA, Skyfire is known for its Rocket Optimizer software which enables virtually any video and other multimedia content to be optimised on 3G and 4G LTE networks.
Skyfire claims that Rocket Optimizer on average provides mobile networks a 60 per cent boost in capacity by reducing the size of video and other multimedia content as needed to fit the available bandwidth.
Skyfire currently counts three large US mobile operators as customers for its Rocket Optimizer and Skyfire Horizon solutions, and is in trials with ten other operators around the world
“With video expected to consume over two-thirds of global mobile bandwidth by 2015, and as time spent on Android and iOS apps explodes, we are excited to extend Opera’s solutions for operators,” commented Lars Boilesen, Opera Software’s CEO.
Jeffrey Glueck, CEO of Skyfire, said, “Opera’s over 100 carrier relationships, global sales team, and delivery organization can accelerate the global commercialization of Skyfire’s technology.”
He added,” Opera practically invented cloud compression to improve mobile user experience, and the team at Skyfire is proud to join forces and advance cloud solutions together.”
Opera´s Mediaworks advertising unit with AdMarvel, Mobile Theory and 4th Screen Advertising will strengthen Skyfire Horizon by offering mobile operators a complete turnkey solution including ad optimization, ad sales, and rich analytics.
The pair will seek to expand on Opera’s Web Pass offering which allows consumers to purchase data plans such as an unlimited ‘day pass’ of popular apps and web sites at an affordable price, thanks to video and data optimization.
WebPass can enable new business models for operators, such as toll free data, ad-supported data.
Read the full Press release here.
