Opera acquires Skyfire Labs for faster mobile video delivery

Skyfire says its Rocket Optimizer software, which compresses multimedia content, gives mobile networks a 60 percent increase in bandwidth capacity

Browser developer Opera Software will acquire Skyfire Labs, which develops technology to speed video delivery over mobile networks, the companies said Friday. The deal is valued at $155 million, which includes a mix of cash and stock and expected performance based earn-out payments over the next three years, Opera said in a news release. The deal is expected to close before March 15.

Skyfire, based in Mountain View, Calif., supplies three large U.S. mobile operators with its Rocket Optimizer software, which compresses video and other multimedia content for faster delivery over 3G and LTE networks. The company says its software gives mobile networks a 60 percent increase in bandwidth capacity, which helps when mobile networks are experiencing high traffic. It says Rocket Optimizer detects and intervenes when users are experiencing poor-quality connections.

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