Cisco Acquires UK-Based 'Small Cell' Tech Company Ubiquisys
Cisco's strategic acquisition of Ubiquisys, a UK-based company specialising in small cell technology, is set to bolster its mobile Internet network portfolio. Small cell solutions, provided by Ubiquisys, are low-power cellular base stations that enhance mobile coverage and capacity, particularly in urban environments and indoor settings.
The acquisition aims to:
- Expand Mobile Network Infrastructure Offerings: By integrating Ubiquisys's small cell technology, Cisco can now offer comprehensive solutions for mobile operators looking to expand and densify their networks to meet the growing mobile data demand.
- Support Transition to LTE and 5G: Small cells are essential components in next-generation mobile networks for improving coverage, capacity, and user experience. With the acquisition, Cisco positions itself as a key player in enabling operators' deployment of advanced mobile broadband services.
- Broaden Reach into Mobile Operator Markets: Traditionally focused on core networking and fixed broadband, the acquisition expands Cisco's footprint into the mobile radio access network (RAN) segment, broadening its addressable market and customer base.
The acquisition is expected to deliver a faster, more consistent voice and data experience, cope with growing data volumes, and strengthen Cisco's ties with wireless carriers. The deal comes after Cisco's recent acquisitions of network policy control support supplier Broadhop and network optimisation software developer Intucell.
In its most recent financial quarter, Cisco's wireless division generated $520 million, accounting for 4.3% of total sales. The acquired small cell solutions from Ubiquisys are tightly coupled with Self-Organising Networks (SON), backhaul, and the mobile packet core, enabling Cisco to provide end-to-end small cell solutions that improve network performance, support densification strategies, and accelerate operators’ deployment of LTE/5G technologies.
The acquisition was announced on Wednesday, with Cisco's senior vice president, Kelly Ahuja, stating that the move is aimed at speeding up momentum and growth in the mobility market. Ubiquisys sells small cell technology for mobile telecommunications providers, and the acquisition expands Cisco's end-to-end product portfolio to include integrated, licensed and unlicensed small cell solutions.
- The acquisition of Ubiquisys by Cisco will enable them to offer business solutions that extend beyond core networking and fixed broadband, as the small cell technology from Ubiquisys will widen their reach into the mobile radio access network (RAN) segment, thus broadening their customer base.
- Leveraging technology such as self-organising networks (SON) and integrating Ubiquisys's small cell solutions, Cisco aims to provide end-to-end small cell solutions that not only improve network performance but also support densification strategies, facilitating the deployment of LTE/5G technologies by operators, thereby strengthening their ties with wireless carriers in the finance sector.
