Japanese giant NTT DoCoMo Inc. announced it purchased a $3 million stake in Linux developer MontaVista Software Inc., based in Sunnyvale, Calif.
DoCoMo recently standardized on two operating system platforms for its mobile phones: Linux and Symbian. The carrier also offers a Linux- or Symbian-based reference platform for license to handset makers to build DoCoMo phones. DoCoMo uses MontaVista’s Linux kernel in its software platform.
DoCoMo said it hopes the investment “will allow it to efficiently improve and develop its Linux products.”
MontaVista supplies Linux technology to a variety of wireless players, including Motorola Inc.
In addition, mFormation Technologies Inc. announced it raised $9 million in its latest round of funding, bringing the company’s total venture capital haul to $35 million.
Intel Capital led the round, and Battery Ventures, Carmel Ventures, Kingdon Capital and North Bridge Venture Partners participated. mFormation said the new funds will allow it to “continue the expansion of its operating activities to better meet the global demand for superior wireless device management solutions.”
“We are very pleased that Intel Capital has chosen to lead this round of financing. The strong support of our existing investors represents a significant vote of confidence in mFormation’s technology, team and strategy. mFormation has one of the most functional, scalable and secure device and service-quality management product suites in the industry,” said Mark Edwards, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. “mFormation’s leading position in the wireless device management market combined with Intel’s leadership in wireless technologies will enable mobile operators around the globe to accelerate data revenues from their end users and business customers through superior manageability.”
