HP to acquire wireless networking specialist

Supplier looks to gain high speed 802.11n WiFi technology to tempt large corporate customers

Colubris installed a WiFi network for Travelodge covering 330 UK and Ireland locations

HP’s ProCurve networking division has announced plans to acquire wireless LAN (WLAN) specialist Colubris for an undisclosed sum.

Colubris offers a range of WiFi access, security and management products to large corporate customers in the retail, manufacturing, healthcare, leisure and service provider industries.

HP ProCurve is looking to strengthen its own WLAN portfolio, particularly with the acquisition of higher speed 802.11n technology, to gain more ammunition to compete for corporate customers with networking infrastructure rival Cisco.

Colubris recently completed the rollout of a WiFi network for the Travelodge hotel chain that provides staff and guests with wireless broadband internet access at more than 330 locations across the UK and Ireland.

In financial year 2007, 38 per cent of Colubris’ revenues came from the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, with 48 per cent from the US and 14 per cent from Asia Pacific.