Communications chip supplier Broadcom has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Beceem Communications, a provider of 4G wireless platform solutions, for an estimated $316 million.
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The acquisition, expected to be complete by March 31, will give Broadcom access to Beceem's solutions for LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), the two standards associated with 4G cellular services. Privately held Beceem has announced a 4G multimode platform for both LTE and WiMAX 4G networks that supports peak broadband download speeds of up to 200Mbps.
When combined with Broadcom's 3G/2G cellular solutions, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, GPS, Ethernet switching and other associated IP, Beceem's 4G technology would help their combined customers accelerate the market availability of highly integrated, lower-cost 4G wireless broadband devices.
'The combination of Beceem and Broadcom creates a leader in providing multimode wireless connectivity solutions to service providers and equipment manufacturers around the world,' said Scott Bibaud, executive vice president and general manager of Broadcom's mobile platforms group, said in a statement. 'Beceem's talented teams of engineers in India and the U.S. have been focused on enabling a 4G ecosystem of operators and equipment manufacturers to drive the deployment of 4G networks.'
Beceem CEO Surendra Babu Mandava said when combined with Broadcom's 2G and 3G cellular solutions and broader wired and wireless communications portfolio, their company's 4G products would enable operators to roll out next-generation wireless broadband solutions while providing support for existing networks. 'Our combined offering will be one of the most extensive and formidable in the industry,' Mandava said in a statement.
According to the Global Semiconductor Alliance, 132 operators in 56 countries are investing in and are expected to deploy LTE, while WiMAX has already been deployed in more than 550 networks in 148 countries.
Beceem's products are WiMAX certified, power the CLEAR and NOQ networks in the United States and are validated against WiMAX base stations from all major OEMs. About Broadcom Broadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Download Wi-Fi device drivers or install DriverPack Solution software for driver scan and update. Beceem Communications filed for an initial public offering of up to $100 million. The WiMAX chipset vendor said the move is an attempt to capitalize on the continued growth of mobile broadband.
In September, Verizon unveiled plans to roll out its 4G LTE Network to 30 large U.S. cities by end of 2010 and deliver the high-speed service to the entire country by 2013. Verizon officials did not specify which cities would gain 4G service in 2010 other than to say they are major metropolitan areas. The company's cell sites are being upgraded to Gigabit Ethernet where possible so that they will have the backhaul capacity to support the bandwidth requirements of LTE, said Bernie McMonagle, a Verizon senior federal sales executive.
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In a move to speed up its 4G development plans, chipmaker Broadcom on Wednesday acquired privately-held Beceem Communications for $316 million in cash and stock options.
Beceem is a uniquely appealing company for Broadcom as its technology supports both WiMax and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) capabilities. The company makes 4G semiconductors and offers single-chip solutions optimized for mobile devices and wireless broadband markets.
Broadcom will add Beceem's wireless platform solutions to its wireless LAN, Bluetooth, GPS, and Ethernet switching products. Beceem's network currently supports download speeds of up to 200 Mbps.
'The combination of Beceem and Broadcom creates a leader in providing multimode wireless connectivity solutions to service providers and equipment manufacturers around the world,' said Scott Bibaud, Broadcom's Executive Vice President & General Manager of the Mobile Platforms Group in a statement to the press.
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Broadcom also expects Beceem's sales and research and development teams to help accelerate Broadcom's development plans for 4G products.
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'When combined with Broadcom's 2G and 3G cellular solutions and broader wired and wireless communications portfolio, our 4G products will enable operators to roll out next generation wireless broadband solutions while providing support for existing networks,' said Beceem CEO Surendra Babu Mandava, in the statement.
Broadcom's chips are used to send data inside cell phones and across network infrastructure. They also power the Apple iPad, a source of tremendous growth for Broadcom. Already an important player in 3G technology and wireless infrastructure, Broadcom is now looking to advance into long-term evolution (LTE) and WiMax wireless technology.
As a result of acquiring Beceem, Broadcom will now compete with Qualcomm for preeminence in 4G technologies.
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According to Broadcom, the acquisition has been approved by the executive boards of both companies and is scheduled to close in March of next year.