Cisco Systems Inc said on Friday it plans to buy privately held Jabber Inc, which specializes in instant messaging software, to bolster its own line of Internet-based communications products.

The two companies did not disclose financial terms.

Denver-based Jabber provides open instant messaging technology that supports different devices and applications, and allows users on separate networks, such as Google Talk or Yahoo Messenger, to connect with each other.

"With the acquisition of Jabber, we will be able to extend the reach of our current instant messaging service and expand the capabilities of our collaboration platform," Doug Dennerline, senior vice president of Cisco's Collaboration Software Group, said in a statement.

Cisco said it expects the deal to close by the end of January.

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