Sagem adds Gigaset WIMAX

Sagem Communications, a French phone-maker and provider of broadband products, has entered into an agreement to acquire the broadband and WiMAX business of Gigaset Communications, a subsidiary of Arques Industries and Siemens.

This is the first acquisition for Sagem Communications since being acquired by The Gores Group, a US-based private equity firm, in January 2008.

“This acquisition should reinforce Sagem Communications objective to become a world provider of broadband terminals, convergence and digital home solutions,” said Patrick Sevian, president of Sagem Communications, in a prepared statement. “We firmly believe that the global customer footprint and the excellent R&D capabilities of Gigaset will significantly enhance our positioning and the value we provide to our customers.”

Sagem Communications has 6,570 employees worldwide, with 2008 sales of Eur1.3bn.