Samsung Electronics Co. that has been on a shopping spree on overseas technology entities added next-generation enriched messaging services to its portfolio by taking over NewNet Communication Technologies Inc. of Canada (NewNet Canada), a leading provider of Rich Communication Services (RCS).

The RCS is the next generation messaging standards created by Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) that allow advanced messaging features including group chat and easy sharing of multimedia and high-resolution photos without a cumbersome sign-up process. It also enables connected services with any RCS supporting mobile carriers.

“The acquisition reinforces Samsung’s commitment to RCS as mobile networks transition to IP-based networks and services,” the company said in a statement without disclosing value of the deal.

NewNet Canada, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was founded in 2009 as NewPace Technologies and acquired by the U.S.-based NewNet Communication Technologies in 2014. The company, viewed as the world’s best RCS technology firm, has been expanding partnership with global mobile carriers and smartphone manufacturers.

The world’s top smartphone maker has recently been trying to bolster its software weakness against multinational rivals like Apple and Google and enrich non-hardware features on mobile devices through expansion in outsourced network especially after the debacle with combustion-prone Galaxy Note7.

The Canadian mobile messaging solution provider makes the Korean tech giant’s seventh merger and acquisition (M&A) of overseas companies this year including an equity investment in China’s electric vehicle parts maker BYD Co., making up 27 percent of the company’s total 27 M&A deals made over the last decade.

Samsung Electronics took over U.S. cloud service startup Joyent Inc., Canada-based advertising firm AdGear, U.S. luxury home appliance maker Dacor Inc., U.S. artificial intelligence platform provider Viv Labs Inc. and most recently, U.S. automotive electronics company Harman International Industries Inc.

Shares of Samsung Electronics closed Tuesday at 1,558,000 won, up 1.23 percent or 19,000 won from the previous session.

By Lee Dong-in

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