Facebook expands further in mobile, buys Snaptu

Facebook has acquired Snaptu, a company focused on developing and delivering online services for mobiles, the companies have confirmed.

Facebook said the deal was “part of our goal to offer people around the world the opportunity to connect and share on mobile devices”. Facebook is already working with Snaptu to offer Facebook on feature (non-smart) phones, but the company said the acquisition will mean this goal will be achieved more quickly.

The price is thought to lie somewhere between $40 and $70 million. The Facebook for Feature Phones app currently works on more than 2,500 devices, Snaptu said.

It is clear Facebook is seruous about mobile, as it very recently acquired messaging service Beluga. This company lets users send group messages via their mobiles.