June 19, 2006, San Jose, CA--NeoPhotonics, a global supplier of fiberoptic component and module solutions for core, FTTx, and other broadband networks, has acquired LightConnect (Newark, CA) and OpTun (Santa Clara, CA) to extend its product line for next-generation reconfigurable optical networks. The deals make NeoPhotonics one of only two component suppliers offering the three principal technologies/architectures for reconfigurable metro and long-haul networks.
LightConnect is a manufacturer of MEMS-based components and modules for the fiberoptic communications industry, with products including variable optical attenuators, blockers, dynamic gain equalizers, and dynamic channel equalizers. OpTun is a developer of planar lightwave circuit-based reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexers. Terms of the acquisitions, based on a combination of cash and stock, were not disclosed.
"Next generation optical networks require dynamic reconfiguration to efficiently accommodate the dramatic increase in data traffic now being driven by new FTTx and other broadband services," said Tim Jenks, CEO of NeoPhotonics. "The combination of LightConnect's broad array of MEMS optical switching products and OpTun's ROADM module design capabilities with NeoPhotonics' existing PLC passive optical components allows us to provide 'best in class'" ROADMs to equipment suppliers for all different network architectures. The two most rapidly growing markets for optical components are FTTx and ROADMs. NeoPhotonics has a strong and broad product offering for FTTx networks, and similarly with these acquisitions, NeoPhotonics can provide customers with the highest performance, most efficient ROADM solution for each of the leading system architectures."
In conjunction with the acquisition of LightConnect and OpTun, NeoPhotonics announced completion of an equity financing of more than $50 million. New investors International Finance Corporation, Needham Capital Partners, DuPont Capital, Shanghai Industrial Holdings and Mitsubishi Capital joined existing investors Oak Investment Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, ATA Venture Partners, Masters Capital, Harris & Harris Group and others in the financing.
In a related move, NeoPhotonics has further strengthened its position in MEMS technology through the acquisition of 25 MEMS patents from MEMX Corp.