Cisco to acquire BNI Video

SAN JOSE, USA: Telecom networking equipment maker Cisco announced its intent to acquire privately-held BNI Video for $99 million. The acquisition is expected to be complete in the second quarter of Cisco's fiscal year 2012. 

Headquartered in Boxborough, Mass., BNI Video supplies service providers with video products that offer video back-office and content delivery network (CDN) analytic capabilities.

The acquisition will advance the capabilities of Cisco's Videoscape TV platform, which allows service providers to deliver compelling video experiences to any device over any Internet Protocol (IP) network, says the company in a release.

"Cisco is committed to working with our service provider customers to deliver next-generation IP-based video experiences across devices," said Marthin De Beer, senior vice president and general manager, Cisco's Emerging Business Group. "Service providers globally are embracing our Videoscape vision, and today with the acquisition of BNI Video, we are augmenting our Videoscape platform and giving customers a clear migration path to Videoscape."

Video, one of Cisco's five company priorities, is the biggest growth driver for IP traffic and, as a result, the company's core networking business. The BNI Video acquisition follows the recent acquisitions of ExtendMedia and Inlet Technologies, which also strengthen Cisco's Videoscape portfolio.

Moreover, with BNI Video headquarters in Boxborough, this acquisition builds upon Cisco's already strong presence in the greater Boston area and follows past acquisitions in the region such as Starent Networks and LineSider, adds the release.