Watch out Skype, because Google is pushing itself even further into the VoIP space, moving in to buy Norwegian Global IP Solutions, a firm renowned for its voice and video processing technology for IP networks.
If the deal goes through, Google will become the proud owner of technology key to cefrtain instant messaging systems including that of its competitors Yahoo, AOL and Baidu. GIPS apparently also holds licenses for important voice processing software as well as software for video calls over Internet networks.
The great Goog has offered $68.2 million for the firm, which is some $2.12 a share. The price represents a premium of 142.1% over the closing share price of GIPS stock on January 11, 2010, a premium of 170.8% over the subscription price per share in the last rights offering in March and a premium of 27.5% compared to the closing share price on 14 May, 2010, the last trading day prior to the offer.
Rian Liebenberg, engineering director at Google said the acquisition was important because “real-time video and audio communication over the Internet are becoming important new tools for users.”
He added that GIPS’ technology provided the level of high quality, real-time audio and video over an IP network that Google was looking for, and that the search engine giant was looking forward to continual innovation for the web.
Speaking for GIPS, CEO Emerick Woods called the deal “an exciting milestone,” and spoke of a “shared vision to transform and accelerate IP communications.”
Google will most likely try to tie GIPS’ technology in with its Google Talk and Google Voice offerings to provide better video chat on Gmail and maybe even business orientated apps.
Back in November 2009 Google laid out an undisclosed amount for another VoIP company, Gizmo5.
Google to buy yet another VoIP firm
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