Product category: Communications ICs (Wired)
News Release from: Agere Systems
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 10 March 2005

Agere acquires Modem-Art

Agere Systems has acquired Modem-Art, a privately held developer of advanced processor technology for 3G/UMTS mobile devices

With this acquisition, which complements Agere's existing products, Agere is further enhancing its ability to address rapidly evolving cellular technologies with integrated chips and software for today's 3G market and widely anticipated future demand for HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology.

To date, Agere and Modem-Art have already secured multiple 3G/UMTS designs with leading wireless device manufacturers for phones and PC card applications.

Agere acquired the Israel-based company for $145.1 million, consisting of cash and stock.

Agere will pay $30.5 million in cash and will issue approximately 70.3 million shares of its Class A common stock in the acquisition, valued at about $114.6 million based on the closing price of $1.63 for Agere Class A common stock on 7th March 2005.

The company expects that it will record a one-time charge for purchased in-process research and development expenses related to the acquisition in the quarter ending 31st March 2005.

The amount has not yet been determined.

Excluding the in-process research and development charges and amortisation of acquired intangibles, the impact of the acquisition on fiscal 2005 earnings per share is expected to be minimal.

Enabling mobile data at up to 384Kbit/s, 3G technology delivers the increased bandwidth needed to support such feature-rich applications as real-time audio and video streaming.

Service providers will rely on phone makers and solutions suppliers that are able to provide this technology as they look to maintain and increase average revenue per user.

'Modem-Art adds best-in-class UMTS physical layer technology to our portfolio with the evolutionary flexibility that will help us to continue delivering reliable products as network technologies advance for many years to come', said Luc Seraphin, Vice President of Agere's Mobility Division.

'This acquisition is a milestone in an 18-month relationship from which we have already successfully launched a proven silicon and software solution that is receiving widespread market acceptance'.

Last month, Agere announced broad sampling of its first 3G standard product, Sceptre HPU, which delivers W-Edge capability by combining Agere's proven dual-mode protocol stack and Edge capabilities with Modem-Art's programmable processing technology.

This acquisition allows Agere to bring Modem-Art's unique, programmable processor technology in-house, obtaining this intellectual property for the broad deployment of its W-Edge products, as well as securing an accelerated path as networks are upgraded to HSDPA connections supporting data transmissions of up to 14Mbit/s.

It also enables broader market deployment for Modem-Art's product, which has already received excellent market feedback.

'Over the years, Modem-Art has set itself apart as a developer of leading-edge technology with programmable modem engines demonstrating our clear understanding of ever-changing cellular market requirements', said Shlomo Gadot, co-Chief Executive Officer of Modem-Art.

'We are pleased to take this formal step which combines two highly gifted and familiar development teams focused on delivering reliable, system-level solutions'.

Dr Yossi Kofman, Modem-Art co-Chief Executive Officer, added: 'We are joining forces at a pivotal moment in the evolution of mobile communications, and together Agere and Modem-Art are aiming to provide unmatched solutions that will help speed mass market adoption of new and exciting wireless applications'.

Agere supplies proven silicon and software solutions that address evolving network technologies and are optimised to provide uncompromising mobility for users of wireless devices.

Its Sceptre line of integrated chips and software has been deployed in phones operating over more than 100 networks.

The company is the second leading supplier worldwide of GPRS/Edge baseband chips, according to IDC.

Modem-Art specialises in developing technology for wideband and broadband communications systems.

Its programmable modem engines are designed to deliver the flexibility needed as network technology evolves by being fully software upgradeable, bringing significant time-to-market benefits for mobile handset vendors.

Modem-Art currently markets its MA1050 processor as a fully 3GPP Release 99 and Release 4 standards-compliant physical layer solution.

All 40 Modem-Art employees will join Agere and be based in Raanana, Israel.

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