Motorola to acquire MeshNetworks

Motorola has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MeshNetworks, Inc., a privately-held, leading developer of mobile mesh networking and position location technologies that allow customers to deploy high performance Internet Protocol (IP)-based wireless broadband networks.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition, which is subject to customary conditions and approvals, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2004.

With this acquisition, Motorola will provide its customers a broader solutions portfolio to build scalable broadband wireless networks capable of delivering next generation content including data, video, location and voice over IP (VoIP) services.

"This acquisition will provide Motorola with technologies that will have a significant benefit for customers across all of our businesses ranging from mission critical and enterprise markets to automotive and home entertainment applications,” said Greg Brown, president of Motorola’s Commercial, Government and Industrial Solutions Sector (CGISS). “With the addition of MeshNetworks, Motorola will gain an outstanding team and a proven suite of products. The acquisition also represents another step in Motorola’s commitment to deliver seamless mobility to all of our customers.”

MeshNetworks has developed a wide range of sophisticated mobile ad-hoc networking, broadband radio and position-location technologies.

MeshNetwork’s technologies and products enable users of mobile communications devices to create their own self-forming and self-healing broadband networks. These networks are capable of operating even under the harshest conditions and form rapid connections among themselves without any existing network infrastructure. The technology also enables network operators to move beyond the limitations of “hotspots” that typically restrict wireless service to within 300 feet of an access point, and instead build “hot zones” that offer continuous outdoor coverage over large metropolitan areas.

Motorola and MeshNetworks have an existing agreement through which Motorola licenses MeshNetworks MeshConnex™ software for 802.11 wireless LANs and distributes their MeshNetworks Enabled Architecture (MEA™) product line through its direct sales and re-seller network. Motorola Ventures, the investment arm of Motorola, is an investor in MeshNetworks.

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