Broadcom announced that it is acquiring Gigabit powerline chip developer Gigle Networks.
The $75 M cash deal comes with a $8 M sweetner if "certain performance goals" are met. The shareholders of Gigle Networks and the boards of directors of the two companies have approved the acquisition. The transaction is expected to close by the end of this year.
Gigle Networks’ powerline networking technology is HomePlug AV certified and is designed to be compliant with the IEEE 1901 standard for high speed powerline communications. Gigle Networks is a member of the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance.
The acquisition will accelerate Broadcom’s time to market for G.hn, a new draft specification for existing-wire home networking, developed under the International Telecommunication Union. It also may enable Broadcom to better compete with Atheros, which acquired leading HomePlug chipmaker Intellon last year.