Vodafone acquires mobile social network ZYB

International operator giant Vodafone announced an agreement to acquire mobile social networking firm ZYB for $48.7 million. Privately-owned ZYB offers subscribers an online management tool promising handset contact and calendar information sharing and backup, additionally enabling users to transmit messages and images from their PC to multiple mobile devices within the ZYB mobile community. The firm will remain headquartered in its native Denmark, with incorporation into Vodafone's Internet Services Division once the acquisition is completed. According to Vodafone, the deal advances its Total Communications initiative, which aims to generate new revenue growth via mobile advertising, web services and fixed broadband.

For more on the Vodafone/ZYB deal:
- read this release

Related articles:
Vodafone demos image-based mobile search
Microsoft's Knook to head Vodafone web unit
Facebook for Mobile Operators debuts on Vodafone