JDSU (www.jdsu.com), a Milpitas, CA maker of field test instruments for broadband access networks, is acquiring home network test instrument maker Test-Um (www.test-um.com) for an undisclosed financial arrangement.
The acquisition, which JDSU says will create new sales channels for Test-Um’s product portfolio and JDSU’s existing set of field test instruments, is expected to close by the end of this month.
In an announcement of the deal, JDSU repeatedly referenced Test-Um’s home networking test instruments and its own broadband access test gear, indicating the Test-Um acquisition makes JDSU a provider of end-to-end broadband test systems. JDSU acquired broadband-test-equipment provider Acterna last year.
JDSU spokesman Jim Monroe confirmed that Test-Um also will maintain its focus on the commercial structured cabling market once the acquisition by JDSU is complete.
“The deployment of broadband networks and the widespread availability of affordable broadband Internet access are driving adoption of new video and other advanced communications services for the home,” said John Peeler, executive vice president of JDSU’s communications test and measurement group. “With our acquisition of Test-Um, JDSU will add an important set of test instruments to help our customers quickly, efficiently, and reliably deliver the IP-based triple-play services consumers are demanding.”
By acquiring Test-Um, JDSU will expand its channels for the sale of its portfolio of test instruments for broadband access networks, including its recently introduced SmartClass line of instruments. JDSU plans to leverage Test-Um’s network of several hundred distributor partners, making its access test instruments available to the service installation and electrical contractors served by Test-Um today.
Additionally, JDSU said, the acquisition creates new market opportunities for Test-Um’s products, which will be made available through JDSU’s direct sales and service organization serving the largest telecommunications and cable service providers worldwide.
Test-Um’s “three-wire” test instruments verify the ability of home wiring to support the reliable delivery of new, high-bandwidth voice, data, and video services throughout the home. Test-Um’s instruments include test sets for verifying line conditioners and power-signal levels, wireless testers that facilitate communications on the job, tone tracing and identification to locate and track cable runs, and analyzers for more advanced service troubleshooting and certification.
Test-Um, based in Camarillo, CA and its 30 employees will be integrated into JDSU’s communications test and measurement product group.-Patrick McLaughlin