Cisco acquires Arroyo

Networking giant claims integration of the technology will accelerate the development of network delivered entertainment

Networking giant Cisco has confirmed a definitive agreement to acquire video networking software provider Arroyo Video Solutions.

The deal for the US-based vendor, which has its EMEA office in Berkshire, will cost Cisco approximately $92m in cash.

The integration of the Arroyo platform into the Cisco IP-NGN (Next Generation Network) architectural framework aims to help enable carriers to accelerate the creation and distribution of network delivered entertainment, interactive media and advertising services for televisions, personal computers, mobile handsets and emerging media capable devices, the vendors claimed.

Michelangelo Volpi, senior vice president and general manager, routing and service provider technology group at Cisco, said: "The entertainment industry is going through a major shift while consumer desire for personalized on-demand service is on the rise. The industry is quickly evolving from pure video-on demand to anything-on-demand with any content delivered to any end device.

"Cisco's next generation network strategy offers service providers the ability to make this vision a reality. With the addition of Arroyo's innovative software, which offers flexibility in content delivery, service providers will be in a position to serve content how, when and where consumers want it," added Volpi.