INDUSTRY FOCUS TOP NEWS STORIES 2024
2024 was a very good year for the fibre optic communications industry, with some big names realigning their portfolios through either M&As or internal restructuring. In addition, market forecasts have been largely positive, particularly in relation to pluggable transceivers. Here are just a few highlights of the year as it draws to a close and we look forward to maintaining the momentum in 2025. NOKIA TO BUY INFINERA, DROP ASN IN PORTFOLIO REJIG FIBRE OPTIC INDUSTRY IN GOOD HEALTH
Probably the biggest deal of the year came in July, when in the space of 24 hours, Nokia announced plans to buy Infinera for US$2.3 billion and sell its Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) arm to the French government for around €350 million. Nokia says the deals demonstrate its commitment to active portfolio management
and focus on key strategic assets and improving the profitability of its Network Infrastructure business group. Nokia and Infinera said they see a significant opportunity in merging to improve scale and profitability, enabling the combined business to accelerate the development of new products and solutions to benefit customers.
The put option to sell Nokia’s submarine networks business ASN, to the French State, represented by the French shareholding agency Agence des Participations de l’Etat (APE), is subject to informing and consulting with the relevant employee representatives at ASN and Nokia. By divesting ASN, , the company says it can focus
its network infrastructure portfolio on growth opportunities in its core markets and further improve profitability of the Network Infrastructure business group.
VIAVI ACQUIRES SPIRENT FOR US$1.277 MILLION In March, optical test and measurement company VIAVI Solutions, agreed to acquire UK-based Spirent Communications plc in a cash offer of approximately US$1,277, or GBP1,005 million, which the Spirent 2.5 pence per Spirent share in lieu of a final dividend for the year ended December 31, 2023. The acquisition was expected to close during the second half of 2024, subject to shareholder approvals jumped 60% after it accepted the offer, rising as high as 174.90p, making it the top riser on the FTSE 250. “The Spirent Board intends to unanimously recommend this all-cash offer, which not only represents an
and other customary closing conditions, including Spirent shareholder approval and certain regulatory closing approvals. The Spirent directors who hold shares of Spirent have signed irrevocable agreements in support of the acquisition. Spirent’s shares
Thomas, chairman of Spirent. “With its strong management team, global scale and the cultural alignment between our businesses, we are confident that in VIAVI, we have found the right owner to take Spirent on to the next phase of its growth story.”
Board intends to unanimously recommend. Under the terms of the acquisition, Spirent shareholders will receive 172.5 pence per Spirent share in cash (the acquisition price). Spirent shareholders will also receive a special dividend of
attractive outcome for Spirent shareholders, but also provides a significant opportunity for employees, customers and other stakeholders through what is a highly strategic and highly complementary combination,” said Sir Bill
FTTH COUNCIL EUROPE LAUNCHES ESG PLATFORM
A new initiative from the FTTH Council Europe
unique position to propose a platform where companies can share ESG best practices, build a database of detailed carbon intensity information for all products (essential for the accuracy of Scope 3 reporting), and offer preferential access to the services of a consultant and a tool for organisations measuring their carbon
emissions for the first time. All companies active in Europe and providing FTTH network-related products and services, and each company joining the initiative can nominate up to three representatives per organisation. They can report their annual, carbon intensity (kg CO per household) confidentially, through the
aims to help all companies involved in the FTTH value chain to measure accurately their carbon footprint and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The FTTH Council Europe, as a non-profit organisation regrouping all stakeholders of the FTTH value chain, say it is in a
Carbon Intensity tool to the Sector database. In return, they will initially get access to the Sector Database, which provides precise carbon intensity values for most products and services in the FTTH value chain.
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INDUSTRY FOCUS 2024/2025
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