Jio Looks To Ramp Up 5G Deployment, To Acquire US-Based Mimosa Networks For $60 Mn

With an eye on ramping up its 5G infrastructure, telecom major Reliance Jio will acquire US-based communications equipment manufacturer Mimosa Networks for $60 Mn in a debt free, cash free deal. 

Radisys Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio Platforms, signed a definitive agreement with Airspan, which owns Mimosa, to acquire the US-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The transaction is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.

The acquisition will enable Jio to scale up its 5G deployment and directly access Mimosa product range without any intermediaries. Mimosa’s products will be deployed in use cases such as backhaul requirements for 5G, FTTX and FTW rollouts.

FTTX (fiber-to-the-x) refers to fixed broadband connections, while fixed wireless access (FWA) enables fixed broadband access using radio frequencies instead of cables. While Jio unveiled its 5G FWA solution called JioAirFiber in August 2022, it has already deployed FTTX through the JioFiber offering. 

Jio already claims to be a ‘major’ customer of Mimosa.

Jio said it will retain all 56 employees of Mimosa following the transaction, and will continue to market Mimosa’s products to some of its customers following the acquisition.

Commenting on the development, Jio Platforms’ President Mathew Oommen said, “… Acquisition of Mimosa will further accelerate Jio’s innovation and leadership in the production of telecom network products that deliver value to consumers and enterprises across the globe with cost-effective, rapidly deployable fixed and mobile broadband.”

Airspan acquired Mimosa in 2018 and has so far deployed the latter’s products to offer cost-effective fixed wireless access network connections. Mimosa’s offerings include power over ethernet (PoE) injectors, twist-on antenna, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint products based on newer technologies such as WiFi 6E, among other telecom gears.

It is pertinent to note that Jio owns a stake in the parent company of Mimosa, Airspan, and also has a seat on the board of directors of Airspan.

Meanwhile, Radisys offers open source telecom solutions and services, including end-to-end solutions that enable telcos to build and operate highly scalable networks at optimum costs.

The acquisition comes as Jio and its rival Bharti Airtel have ramped up deployment of 5G across the country. As per government data, 1.01 Lakh 5G BTS (mobile towers) have been deployed in the country, led largely by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Delhi. 

Jio recently unveiled the high-speed network in 27 more cities, taking the total to 331 cities across the country. It is looking to expand the service to smaller towns and cities and plans to fulfil its target of pan-India 5G coverage by the end of 2023.