Mobile services provider Mobile Messenger has acquired mobile-messaging aggregator m-Qube Inc. from its parent company VeriSign Inc.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mobile Messenger gets m-Qube's direct connections to carriers in the U.S. and Canada, as well as its entire business delivering standard commercial messaging and premium mobile content to customers throughout North America.

With the addition of m-Qube's technology and talented team capabilities, Mobile Messenger will continue its commitment to providing comprehensive mobile services for the U.S. premium and standard messaging industry, where the company claims it will now hold the majority of market share.

Mobile Messenger has operated in the U.S. since 2004. Mobile Messenger was m-Qube's largest client.

This vertical acquisition is seen by Mobile Messenger as a logical and strategic decision. The company claims that it will now hold the majority of the North American mobile messaging market and an enhanced position worldwide.

Mobile Messenger will continue to deliver a technology platform that enables businesses to take advantage of the growing mobile content and messaging market as a marketing, communications and revenue channel.

The company also announced that Purandar Das will be the new chief technology officer of Mobile Messenger, who will lead the integration of m-Qube and Mobile Messenger's technology operations from Boston.

Mobile Messenger supplies its partners with technology and services that facilitate the marketing, distribution and monetization of digital content to mobile devices.

Established in 1999, Mobile Messenger is an aggregator, mobile enabler and content messaging supplier. Today, Mobile Messenger runs operations in North America, Britain, South Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, with plans for new market expansion.

Silver Lake Sumeru, a private equity company in California, owns a majority of the company.

Mobile Messenger helps companies develop, distribute and monetize digital content through mobile devices.

Mobile Messenger remains headquartered in Los Angeles.

M-Qube's Boston office has been integrated into Mobile Messenger as a business unit, and will serve as the company's global technology headquarters.

Mobile Messenger speaks
Mobile Marketer's Dan Butcher interviewed Michael Iaccarino, president/CEO of Mobile Messenger, Los Angeles. Here is what he had to say:

What is the strategy behind Mobile Messenger?s acquisition of m-Qube?
With our acquisition of m-Qube, Mobile Messenger is now a full end-to-end service provider with true aggregation.

By combining m-Qube?s technology gateway with our content management platforms, we?re able to streamline processes and manage all facets of mobile marketing campaigns?from content creation, consulting and messaging connections, to payment processing and campaign ROI analysis.

Our newly integrated company now holds 50 percent of the mobile messaging market, which positions us well for growth both globally and internationally.

Can you provide a list of Mobile Messenger?s clients?
Mobile Messenger powers highly effective mobile programs for a diverse client base. Our partners range from online advertisers, marketing companies and content providers to large entertainment brands

What challenges will m-Qube address for Mobile Messenger and its clients?
The direct connections to U.S. and Canadian carriers that we?ve obtained through the deal will help us build on our leadership in the mobile industry.

In addition, working so closely with carriers enables us take a leadership role in consumer protection initiatives, thereby strengthening the industry for our company, our clients and consumers as a whole.

What was the total value of the acquisition?
We prefer not to disclose financial terms of the deal at this time.

With which carriers does m-Qube have partnerships in the U.S.?
M-Qube has relationships with numerous U.S. carriers but we prefer not to disclose details.