Facebook acquires Finnish mobile data company Pryte

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 3 (UPI) -- Facebook is acquiring Finnish mobile data company Pryte for an undisclosed amount to help take forward CEO Mark Zuckerberg's Internet.org initiative.

Pryte, Helsinki-based company, allows smartphone users to download mobile applications using temporary data allowances. The company is targeting its service to markets, especially in developing countries, where mobile Internet costs are very high.

In a blog post, Pryte said it would work with Facebook to help with Internet.org and bring Internet access to underserved areas.

"Since we launched Pryte we have worked to reimagine the way mobile data works in an app-driven world, by enabling partnerships between app and content providers, and mobile operators," Pryte's team wrote in the post. "Now, we're joining Facebook, whose mission to connect the world by partnering with operators to bring people online in a profitable way aligns closely with our team's goals."

A Facebook spokesperson confirmed the deal saying the Finnish company will be part of the Internet.org team and will work out of the social network giant's London and Singapore offices.

Zuckerberg has been working on ways to increase Internet access across the world and in turn increase Facebook's footprint. He started the Internet.org initiative, which is partnering with telecommunication companies to deliver Internet to underserved locations using innovative technology such as drones, satellites and lasers.