Aurora Networks Inc., which supplies optical communications systems to cable operators, has purchased the Trident7 Universal Access Platform line from Enablence Technologies (TSX VENTURE:ENA). The company will pay $5.1 million, comprised of $2.75 million of cash and the assumption of certain liabilities and contingent liabilities, for its new assets, in a deal expected to close by September 15, 2011. Aurora Networks will pair the Trident7 capabilities with its existing PON technology to offer cable operators the choice of EPON, GPON, and point-to-point Ethernet fiber access options.
The deal comes after Enablence announced this past April that it would explore strategic alternatives for its Systems Division, of which the Trident7 line was a part (see “Enablence leaving FTTH systems market”). Enablence also announced the sale of its MAGNM FX product line to FX Support.
The Trident7 platform, which Enablence Technology acquired along with Wave7 Optics in 2008 (see “Enablence climbs food chain with Wave7 Optics acquisition”), was among the first to support both EPON and GPON using the same chassis. Aurora Networks sees its new assets as complementary to its existing Node PON technology as well as important to its goal of enabling cable operators to offer IP Ethernet-based services to residential and commercial customers. For example, the Aurora Networks version of the Trident7 chassis will support DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE) as well as Ethernet over coax via Aurora Networks’ BitCoax technology.
“Acquiring the Trident7 product family from Enablence is very complementary with Aurora Networks’ strategic vision of network evolution. It will enable us to further integrate technologies which operators will need to continue the evolution of their networks,” said Guy Sucharczuk, chairman, president and CEO of Aurora Networks. “This acquisition will provide an additional tool for operators to meet the ever-growing demand for capacity-per-subscriber.”
In addition to the product line itself, Aurora Networks also will acquire related inventory, certain patents, product and process technology, and customer contracts and lists. Approximately 25 Enablence employees are expected to move to Aurora upon completion of the deal.