Somera buys deployment outsourcer Compass Telecom

Equipment supplier and network planner Somera Communications today announced that is has purchased outsourced network deployment provider Compass Telecom.

The transaction, which is being recorded as an asset purchase, is initially valued at $20 million, with possible future payouts based on performance. With the acquisition, Somera has strengthened its ability to work with multiple wireless technologies, including TDMA, CDMA and GSM, while at the same time beefing up its general network deployment capabilities.

The integration of the two companies should be a relatively simple matter. There will be no layoffs and Compass will continue to operate out of Atlanta, with some Somera employees being transferred to Compass.

According to Rick Darnaby, CEO of Somera, the purchase will be the foundation on which Somera will grow its services revenues.

“With Compass we have all the technical capabilities to do de-installation, integration and installation of equipment,” he said.

The acquisition, Darnaby said, helps make Somera a one-stop-shop for carriers looking to modify their networks. Somera, he said, is an equipment supplier, with resale partnerships with dozens of vendors and a strong refurbished equipment business, and an asset optimization planner. Now with this purchase the company has a deployment arm.

“Said another way, we can not only provide the plan, we can execute the plan,” Darnaby said.