Internet calling app Viber acquired for $900 million

The mobile communications app Viber has been acquired by Ratuken, the Japanese version of Amazon, for $900 million ( £540 million).

Viber is one of Skype’s biggest rivals with over 300 million users worldwide. The app was the first to introduce 3G VoIP  on the iPhone and allows users to call  all any land-line or mobile phone, send messages and even  push-to-talk.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Viber’s global user base helped draw Rakuten, which is trying to expand its business interests beyond Japan.  It also recently purchased a large stake in  Pinterest  and bought e-reader maker  Kobo.

Rakuten’s CEO confirmed that Viber “perfectly compliments” its goals and said the acquisition “will enable it to penetrate new markets with multiple digital content offerings.”

Source: Engadget