Nokia to sell DOCSIS Distributed Access Architecture and EPON/DPoE lines to Vecima Networks
Nokia and Vecima Networks (TSX: VCM) say they have reached an agreement that will see Vecima acquire the Nokia Unified Cable Access product portfolio for cable MSOs. Products within the portfolio include Nokia’s Gainspeed Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) and EPON/DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE) platforms. Financial terms of the deal, which the companies state will “close quickly subject to customary closing conditions,” were not revealed.
The transaction should significantly bolster Vecima’s hand in the cable operator market in which it specializes. The company’s current Entra line of hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network products already includes platforms for DAA requirements. Nokia’s Gainspeed DAA platform, which it acquired along with the company of the same name in 2016, was notable when it was introduced for its emphasis on a virtualized approach (see "Nokia to buy Gainspeed to expand offerings for cable operators" as well as the video “Nokia redefines cable access with Gainspeed portfolio” on Lightwave’s sister site Broadband Technology Report) and would seem to complement Vecima’s DAA technology.
While the sale will offload Nokia’s products specific to the cable market, the company asserts it is not abandoning the space. The company says it will continue to sell its mobile, routing, transport, fiber, and fixed wireless access products to such customers. The sale agreement includes a mechanism to maintain an ongoing business relationship between the two companies as well as product-specific resell agreements.
“Our cable access solutions have played a very important role in helping to redefine next-generation cable solutions and our customers' strategies for addressing evolving network demands using distributed architectures,” said Sandra Motley, president of Fixed Networks at Nokia. “However, the industry continues to go through significant shifts, and we believe the timing is right to transition our cable access business to Vecima Networks. Vecima has the focus, resources, and complementary product portfolio needed to support these changes and help operators move toward a Distributed Access Architecture.”
“Nokia’s portfolio to be acquired aligns perfectly with Vecima Networks’ strategy to provide open, independent, and future-proof cable access solutions that support a multi-vendor ecosystem,” added Sumit Kumar, president and CEO at Vecima Networks. “The addition of these products and world-class talent broadens our DAA platform and adds 10G-EPON products to our portfolio. In addition to expanding the products and services we are providing to existing customers, we look forward to partnering with service providers around the globe we don’t currently do business with.”
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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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