Ericsson acquires BelAir

Ericsson has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares of BelAir Networks, a Canadian Wi-Fi company, without disclosing the terms of the transaction.

With this acquisition, Ericsson will strengthen its Wi-Fi portfolio, technological expertise, IPR and established customer contracts and relationships.

The acquisition of BelAir Networks will be part of the Swedish company's heterogeneous network strategy to improve the mobile broadband experience by managing the co-existence of mobile technologies and Wi-Fi.

The Canadian company develops mobile networking solutions and is based in Ottawa, Ontario and has approximately 120 employees, which will be joining Ericsson's global organization.

''By integrating BelAir Networks' market-leading products and competence into Ericsson's existing radio portfolio, we will be able to do this more quickly. We welcome 120 highly skilled people into the company,'' said Hans Vestberg, CEO of Ericsson.

''This transaction is a natural step in the continued development of BelAir Networks and we believe that Ericsson presents a strategic and cultural fit,'' said Bernard Herscovich, CEO, BelAir Networks.