Ericsson announced its acquisition of Entrisphere, a company providing fiber access technology, based in Santa Clara, USA. The acquisition will help strengthen Ericsson's fixed broadband access portfolio and its position in converged networks.

Since its first deployment of fiber access solution in 2003, Entrisphere has worked with operators to deliver IP based services to customers across North America. With its GPON solution already in service in North America and the system being evaluated for deployment by leading telecom carriers around the globe, the acquisition forms an important cornerstone in Ericsson's full service broadband offering.

The Entrisphere acquisition brings an IP based broadband access platform ready for volume deployment compliant with both North American and international standards.

Fiber technology is essential for High Definition IPTV and other IP based services with high demand on bandwidth and cost efficiency. It is a critical part of the next generation access network and the industry leading standard is known as Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON).

Kurt Jofs, Executive Vice President and head of business unit Networks, Ericsson, comments: "This acquisition provides us with a very strategic product suite within the fixed broadband access segment. We can continue to build a strong position as operators start to deploy fiber access to deliver new IP based services."

Entrisphere was founded in 2000 in Santa Clara. The company employs about 140 people, including important R&D resources.