Broadcom buys home networking company

Broadcom is set to acquire home networking company Gigle Networks, a privately-held company that develops system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for home networking over power lines. The acquisition will also help drive Broadcom's adoption of G.hn, a new ITU draft specification for existing-wire home networking.

Gigle develops so-called system-on-a-chip products (SoC) that will allow Broadcom to expand its product portfolio to include powerline systems. Broadcom said that the deal with Gigle, worth around $75m, will enable it to provide additional functionality to home networking customers.

Powerline networking uses existing electrical wiring to create an in-home network, providing a cost-efficient way of connecting multiple devices and distribute digital content throughout the home.

"The worldwide market has demanded technologies for powerline, coax and wireless networking using standards such as Wi-Fi, MoCA, HomePlug AV, IEEE 1901 and G.hn to allow the streaming of multiple high definition and 3D video streams," said Jason Blackwell, digital home practice director, ABI Research. "With electric outlets readily available around the home, more consumers are seeing the benefits of powerline, and service providers' increased push toward gateways and IPTV is expected to help increase the market at a 32 percent compound annual growth rate from 2010 to 2015."

"With the addition of Gigle Networks' powerline technology, and our proven ability and extensive experience in supporting the multiple methods to connect devices including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, MoCA and DLNA, Broadcom is able to offer service providers and device manufacturers a variety of ways to deploy a whole-home connected environment," said Dan Marotta, executive vice president & general manager of Broadcom's broadband communicationsgroup.