YOU ARE AT:Mobile MinuteFacebook buys Pryte to get closer to carriers (RCR Mobile Minute)

Facebook buys Pryte to get closer to carriers (RCR Mobile Minute)

Mobile Minute:
The Mobile Minute is sponsored by SpiderCloud Wireless. The price of mobile data has definitely been falling in the U.S., but the amounts Americans pay for data plans are still far beyond the means of many would-be smartphone users in emerging markets. Now Facebook has acquired a startup that wants to bring mobile data to emerging markets. Pryte offers one-off options, tying mobile data usage to specific apps (like Facebook). The Finnish company hasn’t actually launched its service yet, but it has something that Facebook wants: relationships with mobile operators in the developing world.
Pryte has about 30 employees, some or all of whom may join Facebook. The acquisition is part of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s effort to extend Internet access to more people around the world. For more on that see today’s video below.
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ABOUT AUTHOR

Martha DeGrasse
Martha DeGrassehttp://www.nbreports.com
Martha DeGrasse is the publisher of Network Builder Reports (nbreports.com). At RCR, Martha authored more than 20 in-depth feature reports and more than 2,400 news articles. She also created the Mobile Minute and the 5 Things to Know Today series. Prior to joining RCR Wireless News, Martha produced business and technology news for CNN and Dow Jones in New York and managed the online editorial group at Hoover’s Online before taking a number of years off to be at home when her children were young. Martha is the board president of Austin's Trinity Center and is a member of the Women's Wireless Leadership Forum.