VideoRunner to Harris in Aastra deal

Satdude

VideoRunner to Harris in Aastra deal

Harris Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aastra Digital Video, a business unit of Aastra Technologies which develops and markets video networking, encoding, decoding, and multiplexing technologies used by television broadcasters, telecommunications providers and satellite networks.

The heart of their product portfolio is the VideoRunner multi-service video networking system. Aastra has been a supplier to Harris of video networking products for the past eight years, sold under the Flexicoder and NetVX brand names.

Aastra Digital Video is based in Bridgewater, NJ, with approximately 35 employees. Aastra's customers also include Turner Broadcasting, the National Football League, DIRECTV, Bell Canada, and the Canadian Television Network (CTV). Revenue for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, was approximately $18 million with EBITDA of $5.7 million, which does not include certain corporate allocations.

Harris will acquire the assets of Aastra Digital Video for approximately $35 million in cash, subject to customary closing conditions, and the transaction is expected to be accretive to Harris fiscal year 2007 earnings per share, excluding acquisition-related charges.

"This acquisition adds to our Total Content Delivery solutions for the broadcast industry and will enable Harris to offer networking products that transport media content over a variety of broadcast, cable, satellite, and telco networks, including those supporting new services such as IPTV and Mobile TV," said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Harris Broadcast Communications Division.

Regards Satdude.