Agilent sells network solutions unit to JDSU

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Scientific instrument maker Agilent Technologies Inc. said that it will sell its network solutions business to JDS Uniphase Corp. (JDSU) for $165 million in cash.

The unit, which monitors, tests and troubleshoots communications networks, recorded revenue of $162 million for 2009 and employs 700. It has operations in Colorado, the U.K., Singapore and China. The deal is expected to close in the second calendar quarter.

A spokeswoman for Agilent said the sale is not connected to its pending purchase of rival Varian Inc. for $1.5 billion in cash.

Shares of Agilent, based in Santa Clara, Calif., added a penny to $29.26 in midday trading on Thursday, February 18, 2010. JDS, based in Milpitas, Calif., provides testing and measurement services to telecommunications companies. Its shares rose 29 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $8.55.