Commscope Inc. announced Aug. 7 that it is proposing to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Andrew Corp. in a deal valued at $1.7 billion.

Commscope’s offer of $9.50 per share for Andrew represents a premium of about 36 percent over the $6.97 per share that Andrew’s shareholders would receive under the existing merger agreement between Andrew and ADC Telecommunications Inc., Commscope said. In late May, ADC agreed to buy Andrew for $2 billion in stock, but ADC’s shares have fallen since the deal was announced.

Commscope’s proposal, which was approved unanimously by the company’s board, also includes the assumption of about $186 million of Andrew’s debt.

If accepted by Andrew, Commscope’s deal would close in early 2007.