After a setback or two, Calix today completed its acquisition of Occam Networks, combining two companies with a strong presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
“By combining Occam Networks’ expertise in IP and Ethernet, Calix’s strength in fiber access, and both companies’ experience in copper access, we believe this merger will accelerate our pace of innovation within the now expanded Calix Unified Access portfolio,” said Calix CEO Carl Russo in an announcement of the acquisition closing.
“We expect that our innovation will in turn accelerate our customers’ ability to meet the emerging needs of the broadband subscriber, while also making communications service providers more efficient.”Both Calix and Occam have won fiber-to-the-home business through the broadband stimulus program.
Calix initially focused on a passive optical network approach to FTTH but also has added support for active Ethernet. Occam comes at the business more from the active Ethernet side, although it also supports both approaches to FTTH. Although PON remains the dominant FTTH network option, active Ethernet’s share of the market has been growing.
When plans for the acquisition were announced in mid-2010, Calix and Occam said they did not expect to eliminate any products. This is the second major acquisition for Calix. In 2006, the company also acquired Optical Solutions.
