Juniper Networks is buying Siemens company Unisphere Networks Inc for about USD740m (USD375m plus 36.5m share stock). Siemens will own slightly less than 10% of Juniper's shares. Siemens and Juniper will also form a partnership for IP infrastructure and related systems.

Partnership agreements will enable Siemens' global customer base to access Juniper Networks' IP product portfolio. The reseller agreement will give Juniper access to Siemens' sales channels in 190 countries. Siemens will be able to offer network operators end-to-end solutions comprising soft-switches, gateways and IP routers.

"These customers will now be able to leverage the global reach of Siemens to utilise both Juniper Networks and Unisphere Networks' proven IP experience. The result is a broadly available portfolio of core, edge, cable and mobile IP routing and broadband access platforms," said Juniper president Scott Kriens.