Cisco has agreed to acquire UK-based small cell basestation developer Ubiquisys for $310m.
Privately-held Ubiquisys, which is based in Swindon, has developed indoor 3G and LTE small-cell basestation technology along with software for licensed 3G and LTE spectrum.
"Cisco is 'doubling down' on its small cell business to accelerate strong momentum and growth in the mobility market," said Kelly Ahuja, senior vice president and general manager, Cisco Mobility Business Group.
With the growth in mobile data traffic, operators believe that offloading traffic to small cell networks, which deliver their signals over a shorter range, is a cost-effective way to increase capacity and make better use of spectrum assets.
Cisco sees the advanatge of integrating this with its own Wi-Fi technology.
"By acquiring Ubiquisys, we are expanding on our end-to-end product portfolio, which includes integrated, licensed and unlicensed small cell solutions that are tightly coupled with SON, backhaul, and the mobile packet core," said Ahuja.
The Swindon-based wireless technology firm has built a global reputation for itself built around small cell mobile phone basestations.
Upon the close of the acquisition, the Ubiquisys employees will be integrated into the Cisco Service Provider Mobility Group, reporting to Partho Mishra, vice president and general manager, Service Provider Small Cell Technology Group.
