As rumored, Cisco will purchase Navini Networks Inc., a player in the mobile WiMAX space, for approximately $330 million in cash and assumed options.
The deal is expected to close in Q2 2008, at which time Cisco plans to integrate Navini into its Wireless Networking Business Unit, as part of the Ethernet and Wireless Technology Group.
Navini integrates “Smart Beamforming” technologies with Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) antennas, improving the performance and range of WiMAX services and lowering deployment and operational costs.
Navini’s portfolio of broadband wireless WiMAX solutions includes base stations, adaptive antenna arrays, management systems and subscriber modems.
Navini’s WiMAX products will extend Cisco’s Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi-Mesh portfolios, allowing Cisco to address the growing markets for broadband wireless services and allowing the company to better compete with Motorola, the current leader in the WiMAX space. The acquisition will also extend Cisco’s IP next-generation network (IP NGN) Connected Live vision – enabling service providers to deliver any service, to any device, over any network.
“Around the world, broadband wireless networks based upon WiMAX have the potential to add millions of new Internet users who cannot be reached economically using copper or fiber infrastructures,” said Brett Galloway, VP and GM of the Wireless Networking Business Unit at Cisco. “Additionally, WiMAX networks will help drive the transition to open, IP-based broadband wireless architectures and accelerate the rollout of new applications and services.”