Motorola claims Good position to squash BlackBerry

Motorola's acquisition of Good Technology is expected to close early next year

Motorola has agreed to acquire Good Technology for an undisclosed sum. 

Good Technology develops software that allows enterprises to push email to mobile phones.

The software allows customers to provide the functionality of a BlackBerry on a standard mobile phone, and is used by more than 12,000 enterprises worldwide.

Motorola said it expects the acquisition to help it broaden its product portfolio. The vendor sells handsets including the Motorola Q that are targeted at businesses, as well as equipment for telecoms providers.

The two vendors already had a business partnership involving the Motorola Q.

Good Technology has received more than $200m in venture capital over the past six years.

The acquisition, expected to close early next year, signals a heating up of the mobile email market. Nokia acquired Intellisync in a similar move earlier this year and added the software to its mobile phones.

IDC predicted earlier this year that Nokia, Motorola and Palm would increasingly challenge the dominant market position of RIM's BlackBerry.

"The timing is right for a more powerful attack against BlackBerry as competitive forces converge," said Sean Ryan, research analyst for mobile markets at IDC.

• Review: BlackBerry Pearl
• RIM holding its own after legal battle
• IDC predicts end of BlackBerry's reign
• PDA market continues to dive
• NTP hits Palm with patent lawsuit
• Patent ruling threatens mobile email