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Ericsson closes BelAir Networks acquisition
03 April 2012
Ericsson hopes deal to buy BelAir will help drive coexistence of wifi and mobile technologies
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Ericsson has closed the acquisition of privately held Canadian equipment vendor BelAir Networks, which will now fall under the Ericsson brand. The deal – which was announced in February – endows Ericsson with a robust carrier grade wifi portfolio, technological expertise, customer contracts and intellectual property. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Johan Wibergh, executive vice president and head of the networks business unit at Ericsson, said: “We are gaining BelAir Networks’ leading position in carrier-grade wifi equipment both in terms of installed base and product portfolio. We will accelerate the integration of wifi and cellular technologies and strengthen our heterogeneous network offering.”
BelAir Networks employees will join Ericsson’s networks business unit in the coming months.
Wibergh said: “We welcome BelAir Networks’ 120 employees to Ericsson. Together we can deliver the industry’s first integrated wifi cellular offering to Ericsson's global customer base in 180 countries, to enhance consumers’ mobile broadband experience.”
Sources claim BelAir Networks was thinking about an IPO, but decided against it due to market instability and the modest Canadian market. GTB
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