Keysight signs $1.6bn deal to acquire Ixia

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Keysight has entered a definitive agreement to acquire communications test and security specialist Ixia in a $1.6billion deal.

“The proposed acquisition is in direct alignment with our strategy to transform Keysight for growth and is 100% complementary to our business,” said Keysight’s president and CEO Ron Nersesian, pictured. “The combination creates a powerful innovation engine to fuel growth, expands our software centric solutions and builds new opportunities through sales and technology leverage.”

According to Keysight, the deal brings together two complementary companies to create an ‘innovative force’ in technologies including electronic design, device and network validation, and application and security performance. Ixia’s IP portfolio is said to include network communications, visibility, application and security technologies, as well as networking and wireless protocols. The latter portfolio is said by Keysight to extend its position in wireless communications and to enable it to offer ‘end to end solutions’ for the 5G communications design and test ecosystem.

“We are confident that Keysight is the ideal partner to accelerate our growth initiatives and will continue to build upon our successful 20-year history,” said Bethany Mayer, Ixia president and CEO. “Ixia and Keysight share many of the same values including our dedication to innovation of leading-edge technologies.”