In a move designed to extend its wares for broadband home networking and access, Motorola Inc. announced plans Tuesday to buy Netopia Inc. for roughly $208 million in cash.
Netopia makes broadband CPE, remote management software and broadband services for telecom operators worldwide. Its products are designed for DSL networks, including wired and wireless modems, routers, and gateways.
Upon completion of the transaction, expected to take place early next year, Netopia will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Motorola and will be integrated into Motorola’s Connected Home Solutions business. Motorola intends to maintain Netopia’s Emeryville, Calif., headquarters, which will serve as the new base for Motorola’s global voice and data CPE business. Alan Lefkof, president and CEO of Netopia, will join Motorola. He will report directly to Dan Moloney, president, Motorola connected Home Solutions.
“Motorola and Netopia share a common vision of the connected home as the hub for seamless mobility. This acquisition advances our vision by strengthening the Connected Home Solutions business position as a leading supplier of technology and services to telecom providers worldwide,” said Moloney in a press release.
Motorola said, with a combined product portfolio, it will now offer a full suite of home CPE for copper-based telecom networks – including home media hubs, voice gateways and IP set-tops. This will complement the leading video, voice and data portfolio Motorola already provides for HFC and optical network operators worldwide.
Netopia’s software offerings add service and device management capabilities to Motorola. This proven platform provides for the centralized management of IP-based gateways, modems and VOIP gear equipment.
Motorola, Inc. www.motorola.com
Netopia Inc. www.netopia.com
