Microsoft Corp. plans to acquire mobile technology company MobiComp to expand its own mobile business and position itself against rivals Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc.

The acquisition will combine MobiComp's expertise in building mobile data protection and sharing services with Microsoft's goal to provide services across mobile phones, the Web and PCs. Terms of the planned acquisition were not disclosed.

"Microsoft and MobiComp share a passion for mobile technology that creates new experiences for people and a belief in an open mobile ecosystem with deep partner relationships," said Scott Rockfeld, group product manager at Microsoft's mobile communications business unit.

"MobiComp's technologies help people manage content between their phones and the rest of their lives and complement the services Microsoft already offers," he said. "We have also selectively acquired other companies that help us advance our strategy of giving people one phone that works for your entire life - from the office to the weekend."

MobiComp specializes in the backup and restoration of mobile data and mobile posting of social content to Web sites such as Facebook.

The Portugal-based company is known for a variety of services including MobileKeeper Backup & Restore, MobileKeeper Sharing & Communities and Active mTicker.

These services help mobile operators and people around the world back up personal content stored on a phone, publish updates to online communities and get entertainment and news content delivered to phones.

MobiComp will contribute to offerings from Microsoft's mobile communications business while continuing to serve its existing partners and customers, which include 11 mobile carriers worldwide.

"People will always want their phones to do more, and we're always innovating to provide new and engaging experiences, whether that is creating new products and solutions from scratch or looking for new partners who, together with Microsoft, can move our mobile services vision forward," Mr. Rokfeld said.

"MobiComp's deep understanding of the mobile industry and significant experience integrating several critical services with major mobile operators aligns with Microsoft's strategy of offering people-enhanced mobile services," he said. "While we have nothing new to announce at this time, the possibilities here complement the products and services Microsoft already offers."