ARRIS plans to establish a dedicated business focused on innovative wireless networking and wired switching technology, serving a number of vertical markets. The business unit will be led by Dan Rabinovitsj, who is currently COO of Ruckus Wireless, once ARRIS acquires Ruckus as part of a deal announced this week with Broadcom. Broadcom is acquiring a company called Brocade Communication Systems and will keep the Fibre Channel SAN business from this deal and sell the Ruckus Wireless and ICX Switch business (currently part of Brocade) to ARRIS.
ARRIS says the Brocade Communications solution portfolio will expand its leadership in converged wired and wireless networking technologies beyond the home into the education, public venue, enterprise, hospitality and MDU segments.
According to Bruce McClelland, CEO at ARRIS, “The next five years will see exciting changes as every service provider becomes a wireless operator of some fashion. Enterprises and venues will upgrade their broadband networks to provide new and innovative value-added services and faster, more seamless Internet access. Driven by ever-growing demand for high-speed, reliable and effortless connectivity, service providers and enterprises will continually invest in their wired and wireless networks.”
Rabinovitsj (Ruckus COO) says, “This combination signifies a win-win for Ruckus Wireless and ICX switching employees, partners and customers. Joining the ARRIS team will allow us to accelerate the pace of innovation and expand our industry-leading networking portfolio, leveraging ARRIS resources and scale.”
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in various jurisdictions and other customary closing conditions but does not require shareholder approval by either company, and is not subject to any financing conditions.
