Belkin plans to keep and utilise the Linksys brand
Belkin has announced it has acquired Linksys, Cisco's home networking business.
The firm has purchased the wireless router brand for an undisclosed sum and is expected to close in March. The purchase of Linksys from Cisco means that Belkin will account for 30 percent of the home and business networking market. See also: Group test: what's the best wireless router?
Chet Pipkin, CEO of Belkin. "Our two organizations share many core beliefs – we have similar beginnings and share a passion for meeting the real needs of our customers through the strengths of an entrepreneurial culture. Belkin's ultimate goal is to be the global leader in the connected home and wireless networking space and this acquisition is an important step to realizing that vision."
Belkin said it plans to maintain the Linksys brand and will offer support to existing customers as part of the move. Valid warranties will also be honoured by Belkin. Both companies have offices based in California.
See also: Group test: what's the best modem router?
The firm said that access to Cisco's specialised software solutions across its product will 'bring a more seamless user experience for customers'.
Hilton Romanski, vice president of Corporate Business Development at Cisco, said: "While part of Cisco, Linksys has continuously innovated, while strengthening the brand and expanding its market leadership. As part of Cisco’s commitment to service providers, we are pleased about this strategic relationship with Belkin to build on Linksys’ position of strength."
Belkin promised that merging the two companies will set it up to develop the next generation of home networking technology.
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Comments
Christopher Woods said: Christ thats depressing I dont think we could ever get much further away from the heady heights of ubiquitous functional utilitarianism - and the insanely good pieces of hardware Linksys 11 produced like the WRT54Gv4 aka the WRT54GL in EuropeSuch a rock solid ultra reliable and speedy bit of home kit with some Linux-based custom firmware on it even the stock firmware wasnt bad The fact it was stackable was a handy bonus too Then they moved to VxWorksNow every networking device they manufacture takes up half an acre on your desk looks like a radio or a toaster and runs more slowly than me Why do they still look like someone dragged the conceptual designs out of a 1960s waste paper basket Oh and their routers fall over the minute you do anything more than load a web page through them Enjoy the IP grab Belkin