Ericsson to buy Canadian WiFi technology firm BelAir Networks
22 Feb 2012
Swedish telecommunications gear maker Ericsson yesterday agreed to buy Canadian WiFi technology firm BelAir Networks, in order to expand its mobile broadband portfolio.
The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Ericsson said that it will reveal the transaction price in a future regulatory filing, once the deal is closed, which is expected during the first half of 2012.
The acquisition of the Ottawa-based privately-held company will give Ericsson a carrier-grade WiFi portfolio, technology expertise, intellectual-property rights and established customer relationships.
The BelAir Networks' indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi systems enable service providers to build scalable, high performance Wi-Fi networks, which are becoming a standard feature in smartphones, PCs, tablets and in other consumer electronics devices.
The company develops mobile networking solutions that are deployed by service providers including AT&T and Comcast.
Wi-Fi networks are used to provide wireless service in high-traffic areas such as mass transit, hotels, airports, cafes and industrial plants. One of BelAir's key early contracts was building a Wi-Fi network for Dolphin Stadium in Miami for the 2007 Super Bowl.