Broadcom reacquires optical transceiver assets from Foxconn
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) has confirmed a report from LightCounting analyst James Kisner that it has reacquired the optical transceiver and technology assets Avago Technologies sold to Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT; see “Avago agrees to sell optical modules business to Foxconn Interconnect Technology”). Avago sold the assets in 2015, shortly before the company merged with Broadcom through acquisition (see “Avago to buy Broadcom”). The financial terms of the deal remain unknown.
According to a statement provided by Broadcom’s media relations team, Broadcom will combine the former Foxconn assets with those of its existing Fiber Optics Product Division to form a new business unit, the Optical Systems Division. Alexis Björlin, who joined the Broadcom from Intel this past April, will lead the division. Her LinkedIn profile lists her title as senior vice president and general manager. “The integration of two top solution providers will position FIT and Broadcom to best serve our customers in the competitive Datacom and Telecom markets with differentiated and value-added solutions, from discrete III-V components to complete optical systems,” reads the Broadcom statement.
The asset change of hands had not been acknowledged on either company’s website as of 2:00 PM Eastern this afternoon. Broadcom’s site directs visitors interested in “Fiber Optics Transceiver and Coherent products” to FIT’s site, where a portfolio of datacom optical transceivers, active optical cables, and embedded optical modules is described. Broadcom’s existing optical products for communications applications include Fast Ethernet and other products for automotive and industrial applications, as well as optical components such as TO-can laser/detector combinations for broadband and CWDM/DWDM wireless backhaul and metro network applications. The company also makes optical sensors, LEDs and displays, and optocouplers and opto-isolators.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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