Agere Acquires Modem-Art for 3G/UMTS Processors

Agere Systems has acquired Modem-Art, a privately held developer of advanced processor technology for 3G/UMTS mobile devices, for $145.1 million, consisting of cash and stock.


Modem-Art, which is based in Israel, specializes in developing technology for wideband and broadband communications systems. Its programmable modem engines that are fully software upgradeable, bringing significant time-to-market benefits for mobile handset vendors. Modem-Art currently markets its MA1050 processor as a fully 3GPP Release 99 and Release 4 standards-compliant physical layer solution. To date, Agere and Modem-Art have already secured multiple 3G/UMTS designs with leading wireless device manufacturers for phones and PC card applications.


Agere said the acquisition complements its existing products for today's 3G and widely anticipated future HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology.


All 40 Modem-Art employees will join Agere and be based in Raanana, Israel.
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