Aastra snaps up Ericsson enterprise

Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) manufacturer Aastra Technologies has agreed a C$103 million (£52.6 million) deal for the Enterprise Communications business of Swedish telecoms firm Ericsson.

The division, which provides businesses with internet protocol private branch exchanges (PBX) for use with VoIP, employs around 630 people in more than 30 countries. Last year, it generated around C$460 million in revenue.

Aastra said the move will help it to become a "leading player" in western Europe's enterprise communications market as it moves towards widespread use of VoIP.

It will also help the company to establish itself in other key markets such as eastern Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, it said.

Aastra, which is based in Ontario, Canada, currently develops and supplies a range of products for both traditional and IP communication networks, including terminals, systems and applications.

According to the Canadian Press, Aastra's net earnings for the third quarter of last year increased 51 per cent to C$71 million.