BT buys Ribbit for $105 million cash

Ribbit's platform allows for Web browser-based phone calls, voice messaging and other uses. It can turn voicemail into text files, which are searchable. Developers have also integrated voice features into salesforce.com using Ribbit, and have built voice applications that run directly from Facebook or iGoogle.

BT said the purchase will speed up its plan to transform into a platform-based, software-focused service provider.

"We believe in developer communities, open platforms," said JP Rangaswami, managing director of service design at BT.

As part of the deal, Ribbit will keep its management and identity. The company's global reach will broaden significantly. BT operates in 170 countries.

Ribbit was founded in 2006 and funded by venture capital firms Alsop Louie Partners, Allegis Capital, KPG Ventures and Peninsula Ventures.

American Depositary shares of BT Group rose 38 cents to close at $39.50.