Adtran, the provider of networking solutions, plans to acquire, through an asset sale and purchase agreement, the Nokia Siemens Networks fixed line Broadband Access business (BBA), and associated professional services and network management solutions. The planned acquisition would include the Broadband Access intellectual properties, technologies and the established customer base.

400 people to join Adtran

As part of this planned transaction, up to approximately 400 people, including engineering, R&D, sales and professional services employees, are expected to transfer to Adtran globally. The agreement also includes provisions which would allow Adtran solutions to be incorporated by Nokia Siemens Networks into its customer propositions, broadening Adtran’s business opportunities.

The planned transaction is expected to close by the end of April 2012 subject to the completion of a consultation process. “Nokia Siemens Networks’ long standing customer relationships, combined with Adtran’s long term focus and financial strength, make this a very favorable outcome for customers, employees and shareholders,” said Adtran CEO Tom Stanton. “Service providers around the world are seeing high bandwidth services as an integral component of their future opportunities. This strategic acquisition would position Adtran in key markets with an established customer base; complementary market-focused products; along with engineering, R&D, sales and professional services resources.”

“We believe that this planned divestment would provide our existing fixed broadband access customers with a continuous high-quality service from a company focused on their needs,” said Marc Rouanne, head of Mobile Broadband at Nokia Siemens Networks. “The planned sale is in line with our new strategy to increase our focus on the mobile broadband and services market.”