Optical fibre and handset screen provider Corning has signed a deal to take over small cell company SpiderCloud Wireless for an undisclosed sum.
California-based SpiderCloud builds small cell platforms to increase the quality and efficiency of mobile networks indoors.
Corning said the acquisition would provide it with “unique market access opportunities” as it looks to grow sales from $3 billion in 2016 to $5 billion by 2020.
SpiderCloud will sit within Corning’s Optical Communications wing of the business.
Clark S. Kinlin, Executive Vice President, Corning Optical Communications, said: “Wireless connectivity has become more a necessity than an amenity, and mobile operators and enterprise customers are seeking cost-effective solutions to enhance service for their users inside buildings.
“With the acquisition of SpiderCloud Wireless, we believe our combined product solutions will help drive optical convergence and enable the advantages of fiber-deep architectures within the enterprise local area network.”
SpiderCloud Wireless CEO Mike Gallagher, added: “We are excited to become part of Corning, an innovative, technology-driven company that continually leads the way in the telecommunications industry.
“Together we will continue to focus on expanding SpiderCloud’s customer relationships and augmenting our pioneering portfolio by leveraging the combined strength of two world-class product development teams.”
[Read more: 5G clarity is catalyst for small cell investment, says BT network head]
Earlier this year, SpiderCloud launched a new solution focused on the deployment of LTE-U technology. It is expected to come to Europe during the second half of 2017.
It also announced a simplified small cell product aimed at improving coverage for enterprise customers.