Keysight headquarters in Santa Rosa, California. Photo: Keysight Technologies

Keysight Technologies has acquired Spirent Communications in a $1.46 billion deal that integrates more communications testing technology into Keysight’s business. 

Keysight, based in the U.S., provides design, emulation, and test solutions in communications, aerospace and defense, semiconductor, and other markets, including the satellite industry. 

Spirent Communications, based in the U.K., also offers testing solutions for networks, cybersecurity, and positioning. Last year, the company’s revenue was approximately $460.2 million.

Keysight announced the deal to acquire Spirent in March. The U.S. Justice Department required Keysight to divest Spirent’s high-speed ethernet testing, network security testing, and radio frequency (RF) channel emulation businesses to resolve antitrust concerns. According to the DoJ, together the company’s account for 85% of the market for high-speed ethernet testing, more than 60% of the market for network security testing, and more than 50% of the market for RF channel emulators.

Viavi, another communications testing solution provider, is acquiring Spirent’s ethernet testing, network security testing, and RF channel emulation business. Keysight said the divestiture is expected to be completed on October 16.

“By combining Keysight’s leading design, emulation, and test expertise with Spirent’s strengths in satellite emulation, positioning, and network automation, we are expanding the breadth of our portfolio to better serve our customers. This acquisition accelerates our strategy and positions us to deliver even greater value in a rapidly evolving technology landscape,” said Satish Dhanasekaran, Keysight’s president and CEO. 

Spirent’s shares will be delisted from the London Stock Exchange on October 17 and its business will be integrated into Keysight’s Communications Solutions Group.