Ericsson to acquire BelAir Networks

Ericsson has agreed to acquire Wi-Fi equipment maker BelAir Networks. Based in Canada, privately-held BelAir Networks gives Ericsson a portfolio of carrier-grade Wi-Fi equipment, intellectual property and established customer contracts. The terms of the takeover were not disclosed. Ericsson said the acquisition is part of its heterogeneous network (hetnet) strategy to improve the mobile broadband experience by managing the co-existence of mobile technologies and Wi-Fi. BelAir Networks' indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi systems enable service providers to build scalable, high-performance Wi-Fi networks. Its customers include AT&T and Comcast. The around 120 employees at BelAir will all join Ericsson. The acquisition is expected to close during the first half of 2012.