Sigma Designs snaps up CopperGate Communications

With the ITU approving the G.hn physical layer specification and now Sigma Designs signing a deal to purchase CopperGate Communications, it's shaping up to be a big week for telco home networking. Under the terms of the agreement, Sigma will acquire CopperGate for $160 million in stock and cash. As of the end of June, CopperGate reported that it had shipped over 10 million HomePNA chips for home networking.

As reported [1] in FierceTelecom's sister publication FierceIPTV, the merger of the two companies would combine Sigma's IPTV set top box capabilities with CopperGate's knowledge of home networking technologies, including HomePNA and Home Plug AV. What's more, both Sigma and CopperGate are supporters of the HomeGrid Forum and are actively taking part in the ITU-T's process to adopt the G.HN home networking standard.

This deal, which only comes a few short days after the ITU-T voted [2] to approve G.hn physical layer specification, illustrates an emerging trend where home networking suppliers are stepping up to the plate with integrated devices that incorporate IPTV and home networking capabilities.

For more:
- see the release here [3]

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Sigma Designs to acquire CopperGate [1]
Telus chooses CopperGate for HPNA 3.1 [4]
CopperGate Communications Adds Chief Financial Officer [5]