NTT Docomo made an offer to acquire Italy-based content company Buongiorno, which it described as “one of the largest providers of mobile internet content and apps in Europe and beyond,” in a deal which could be worth up to EUR224 million.

According to the Japanese operator, the transaction “will combine Docomo’s innovative mobile business and services know-how in Japan and other countries with Buongiorno’s advanced mobile technologies and extensive global customer base.” Docomo also said that as part of its development plan, it “expects to strengthen the foundation of its mobile platform business overseas.”

Mauro Del Rio, chairman of Buongiorno, has already entered into a deal to sell his 20 percent stake to Docomo’s German subsidiary, which is also conducting the public offer for the remaining shares.

In a statement, it was said that Buongiorno has “steadily grown its business through the direct delivery of a broad portfolio of content and services to some two billion customers in 57 countries across four continents.” For the year to December 2011, it reported operating profit of EUR7 million on revenue of EUR228.6 million.