Lightwire

As expected, silicon (CMOS) optical technology will play an important role in development of high-speed networks. The Lightwire company having experience in area of optical CMOS technology and package design made technology break in the field of optical switching: it managed to integrate a set of high-speed active and passive functions on one small silicon chip. The high compactness, low power consumption and high scalability of Lightwire CMOS technology allows switches, routers and the systems of optical transport to increase density of optical connections at lower costs. As a result operators can cut down capital and current expenses and offer customers new profitable services.

Absorption from Cisco

At the beginning of 2012 the Cisco company announced intention to purchase Lightwire private company. This acquisition will allow Cisco company to build economic high-speed networks with optical switching of new generation. As a result customers of Cisco (telecom operators and data processing centers) will be able to meet the growing demand for the services connected with video transmission, data and a voice and the growing demand for mobile and cloud services.

On March 19, 2012 Cisco Systems announced completion of the transaction on acquisition of Lightwire company with the headquarters in Allentown, the State of Pennsylvania who for the first time became known in February. Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco paid about $271 million. Several hours later after dissemination of official information on the transaction of the stock Cisco grew up in the price for 5 cents up to $20.08 for the security.

That Cisco expects to strengthen the market leadership of solutions of the kernel level of network. Merger of Lightwire not the first in own way, earlier in 2010 Cisco purchased CoreOptics.

Lightwire is the famous developer of technologies of optical connections which are an integral part of modern high-speed network connections. In the light of the growing volumes of the circulating data in networks, video, voice traffic, the number of mobile devices and cloud services of the solution Lightwire can play for Cisco good service in the nearest future. First of all, in the light of further expansion of a portfolio of offers for operators and DPC.

Engineers of Cisco believe that the silicon photonics will play the defining role in creation of networks, high-speed and at the same time optimal in terms of costs. Lightwire has rich experience of creation of the relevant semiconductor base (CMOS chips). Its Cisco intends to integrate into own switches of the kernel level of network.

Upon completion of the transaction the staff of Lightwire will be distributed between divisions of Cisco Transceiver Modules Group and Supply Chain Operations Group whose tasks include developments and supplies of equipment respectively.