Cisco acquires Scientic Atlanta set-top box company

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Cisco acquires Scientic Atlanta set-top box company

According to BusinessWire, Cisco Systems, Inc. has acquired Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Scientific-Atlanta is a global provider of
set-top boxes, end-to-end video distribution networks and video system integration. According to the release, "The combined entity creates a world class, end-to-end triple play solution for carrier networks and the digital home. In addition, upon closure, the market opportunities represented by this acquisition will become part of Cisco's Advanced Technology portfolio."

With Cisco playing "nice" with Microsoft using ICE, this is an interesting acquisition by Cisco. For instance, Microsoft designs the software for SBC's cable set-top box called Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software. But it gets better - Scientific Atlanta sells their set-top boxes to SBC running - you guessed it - Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software. So will Cisco "pull" support for the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software and install their own software? Or will Cisco let Microsoft own the software and focus strictly on the hardware side?

Sure, Microsoft and Cisco "played nice with ICE", but they are still fierce competitors. It will be interesting to see what happens. The Battle of the Titans for the family room could be fun to watch.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will pay $43 per share in cash in exchange for each share of Scientific-Atlanta, and assume outstanding options, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.9 billion, or approximately $5.3 billion net of Scientific-Atlanta's existing cash balance.

Update:
Just noticed Rich Tehrani had some insights about the Cisco / Scientific Atlanta acquisition worth sharing.



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