Mavenir, an end-to-end cloud native network software provider for Communications Service Providers (CSPs), recently announced it acquired ip.access LTd. The Cambridge, UK-based firm. ip.access provides 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G-ready small cell solutions. The acquisition will allow Mavenir to expand its leadership in OpenRAN radio in multiple ways.
First, from a CSP perspective, Mavenir can add 2G and 3G capabilities to its OpenRAN portfolio.
“Operators are looking to transform their 2G/3G networks as they migrate to 4G and 5G,” Mavenir President and CEO Pardeep Kohli said in a statement. “We expect to provide a seamless, multi radio access technology single RAN offering for those operators that allows them to have the benefits of advanced radio solutions across all layers.”
Meanwhile, the company can now add a full suite of enterprise radio solutions for its private network offerings, including OnGo/Citizens Radio Broadband Service (CBRS) certified solutions. These additions will be beneficial to enterprises and commercial real estate owners looking to deploy or enhance their buildings’ private wireless networks. Lastly, Mavenir acquiring ip.access will expand its footprint in non-traditional markets. Mavenir can leverage software defined vRAN solutions for aviation, maritime, rural and remote networks with next generation solutions in the air, on land and at sea.
“ip.access brings a strong foothold in 2G, 3G and 4G as well as in the enterprise space that we believe augments Mavenir’s market leadership,” Mavenir SVP and GM Emerging Business, Aniruddho Basu said. “Combining our assets enhances our end-to-end network proposition, provides a “Multi-G” single RAN evolution path for carriers, and creates a market leading proposition for the private networks enterprise market.”
“Many subscribers in many networks and geographies need GSM and 3G service with LTE even as 5G is introduced,” ip.access CEO Richard Staveley said in a statement. “Mavenir’s OpenRAN and Enterprise solutions combined with ip.access’ multi-Radio Access Technologies positions the combined company perfectly for that future.”
ip.access will operate as a business unit within Mavenir’s Emerging Business group. It’s also expected to develop strong synergies with Mavenir’s OpenRAN, Cloud Core, Edge, and Analytics suites to create end-to-end network propositions for both the CSP and Enterprise/Industry segments. ip.access brings its proven track record with more than 50 live networks deployed globally with CSPs, and hundreds of private networks for industry, critical infrastructures, data monetization, security and surveillance.
“CBRS/OnGo in the US and shared spectrum initiatives in Europe are but a few of the potential opportunities,” ip.access Founder and CTO Nick Johnson said. “It’s not just consumer services anymore, but industrial private networks, professional closed group networks for financial, healthcare, leisure and hospitality, among many others. We look forward to applying our long experience in private networks to complement Mavenir’s existing portfolio in serving this hugely expanded customer base.”
Joe Dyton can be reached at joed@fifthgenmedia.com.
