Ribbon Communications

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Ribbon Communications
Nasdaq: RBBN
Russell 2000 Component
IndustryTelecommunications
Predecessor
Founded2017; 4 years ago (2017)
Headquarters
Westford, Massachusetts
Key people
Bruce McClelland, CEO
Products
  • Session Border Controllers
  • Media Gateways [ Enhanced Voice Services
  • Cloud Communications
  • SIP Trunking
  • Cloud Communications
  • (and related products)
Websiteribboncommunications.com

Ribbon Communications US LLC is a public company that makes IP-based real-time communication security and software products and services for fixed wireline, mobile, and cable service providers as well as large enterprises. The company was formed in 2017, following the merger of Genband and Sonus Networks and is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts.[1]

History[]

Ribbon Communications was the combination of two companies, each of which had acquired other businesses over their history.

Genband[]

General Bandwidth was founded in 1999 by Paul Carew, Brendon Mills, Ron Lutz and Steve Raich in Austin, Texas and received initial venture capital funding of $12 million. The company raised over $200 million in four rounds of venture funding and grew to over 200 people by 2003. In 2004, Mills resigned and was replaced as CEO by Charles Vogt.[2]

In March 2006, General Bandwidth changed its name to Genband, Inc. and moved its headquarters to Plano, Texas. Genband started as a media gateway vendor selling the G6 media gateway, but eventually branched out to IP switching, IP applications, IP Multimedia Subsystem and session border controllers.[3] In August, 2006, Genband acquired Syndeo and Baypackets (headquartered in Fremont, California, with employees mostly in India).[4] In October, 2006 it acquired the digital central office products known as Siemens DCO.[5]

In 2007, Genband acquired Tekelec's switching group, which expanded product offerings in application software and SIP trunking gateways.[6]

In 2008, the company acquired Nokia Siemens Networks’ Surpass HiG media gateway product portfolio, including fixed-line trunking media gateways.[7] In August, 2008, BroadSoft acquired the M6 communications appliance server (fornerly known as VocalData) business.[8] The company concluded 2008 with the acquisition of NextPoint Networks, which included session border controller and security gateway offerings. NextPoint had been just recently formed from the merger of NexTone Communications and Reef Point Systems (which had been called Quarry Technologies).[9]

In May, 2010, purchased Nortel Networks' carrier VoIP and application business for an estimated net $182 million after Nortel became bankrupt.[10][11] Existing shareholder One Equity Partners assisted in financing.[12] In June, 2010, Genband was re-incorporated as Genband, Inc, and disclosed an equity investment from executives and board members of about $4 million.[13] In December, 2010 it moved its headquarters to Frisco, Texas, keeping its Plano campus as a design center. Both are near Dallas, Texas.[14] In January, 2011, Genband acquired Cedar Point Communications in Derry, New Hampshire.[15]

In 2012, Genband acquired Aztek Networks, a switch maker specializing in hardware for a smoother transition from legacy to IP networks.[16] In September, 2012 it was named the top-ventured capital backed company by the Wall Street Journal.[17]

In 2013, Genband acquired Fringland Ltd. for an estimated $50 million, providing the Fring! app, marketed as mobile over-the-top media service.[18] CEO Vogt left Genband in 2013 and David Walsh added the CEO position to his title of chairman.[19]

In 2014, Genband acquired uReach Technologies, a provider of unified communications and messaging, and introduced unified communications products and services for business customers.[20] In September 2014, Genband announced Kandy.io, cloud-based, real-time software support communications marketed as platform as a service (PaaS).[21]

In May 2015, Genband was named in CNBC’s "disruptor" list.[22] In 2016, it was involved in a patent dispute with Metaswitch.[23] In September, 2016, pre-packaged software using the Kandy technology were announced, called "Kandy wrappers".[24]

Sonus Networks[]

Sonus Networks, Inc. was founded in August 1997 by Jay Pasco-Anderson, Karl Schwiegershausen, Michael G. Hluchyj, Rubin Gruber and Tony Risica.[citation needed] Hluchyj was chief technology officer, Gruber served as president until November 1998, when Hassan M. Ahmed became CEO and chairman. There were no revenues until the quarter ending in March 2000, with accumulated losses of about $50 million against $1.1 million revenues.[25]

On May 31, 2000, Sonus had its initial public offering (IPO), raising over $100 million. It was listed on Nasdaq with the symbol SONS.[25] At the time (near the end of the dot-com bubble), it was located in Westford, Massachusetts.

In January 2001, Sonus acquired Anousheh Ansari's firm Telecom Technologies, Inc., in an all-stock deal. Sonus subsequently integrated TTI's softswitch technology INtelligentIP into its own packet telephony suite. In 2008, Richard Nottenburg joined as chief executive.[26] A product called a network boarder switch was announced in 2003, and updated in 2006.[27]

In August 2012, Sonus acquired Network Equipment Technologies, Inc., for approximately $42 million. The acquisition complemented their existing SBC line with the NET UX series for SIP Trunking and SIP-based UC.[28]

On December13, 2013, Sonus agreed to acquire Performance Technologies Inc entered into a definitive merger agreement, under which Sonus will acquire PT for $3.75 per share in cash, or approximately $30 million.[6] In 2014 Sonus acquired Performance Technologies, moving into the diameter signaling market.[29]

In 2016 Sonus Networks Inc., acquired Taqua expanding its softswitching portfolio.[30]

Ribbon Communications[]

Ribbon Communications was founded in October, 2017, following the merger of Genband and Sonus Networks in May.[31] Ray Dolan initially headed the combined company, while Walsh led the Kandy business unit.[32] By December, Dolan, who had led Sonus since 2010, resigned.[33] Franklin (Fritz) W. Hobbs was appointed as president and CEO of the combined organization[34] and served in that role until November 2019.[35] In 2018 Ribbon acquired Edgewater Networks.[36]

In January 2018, the company announced that its session border controllers would be used in the virtual network services of Verizon.[37] In November 2019, Ribbon announced it would acquire ECI Telecom from Shaul Shani for $486 million in cash and stock.[38]

In February 2020, Bruce McClelland was named president, CEO and director.[39][40]

References[]

  1. ^ "Sonus Networks, Inc. Announces Completion of Sonus and GENBAND Merger". Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  2. ^ "Mills Steps Down as General Bandwidth CEO". Austin Business Journal. September 20, 2004. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  3. ^ Richard Grigonis (August 29, 2006). "GenBand: Retooling for IMS". www.tmcnet.com. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  4. ^ Phil Harvey (August 30, 2006). "Genband Splashes Out for BayPackets". Light Reading. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "Genband buys Siemens DCO products". Fierce Enterprise Communications. October 5, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  6. ^ "Genband Acquires Tekelec". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  7. ^ "Genband buys fixed trunking gateways from Nokia Siemens". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  8. ^ Peter Radizeski (August 29, 2008). "GenBand's M6 Acquired by Broadsoft". TCMnet Blog "On Rad's Radar?". Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  9. ^ Phil Harvey (August 16, 2008). "Genband Scores NextPoint". Light Reading. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  10. ^ "Genband Integrates Nortel VOIP Products into Road Map". eWEEK. June 22, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  11. ^ Phil Harvey (February 24, 2010). "Genband Wins Nortel's Carrier VoIP Biz". Light Reading. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "Nortel to sell carrier VoIP businesses to Genband". Toronto Star. December 23, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "Form D: Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities". US Securities and Exchange Commission. June 10, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  14. ^ "Genband Opens New Worldwide Corporate Headquarters in Frisco, Texas". Press release. December 10, 2010. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  15. ^ Tracy Ford (January 4, 2011). "Genband picks up Cedar Point for stronger VoIP position". RCR Wireless News. Retrieved August 24, 2001.
  16. ^ "GENBAND's Aztek acquisition helps it target more TDM-to-IP transformation projects". FierceTelecom. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  17. ^ Basich, Zoran; Maltby, Emily (September 27, 2012). "Looking for the 'Next Big Thing'? Ranking the Top 50 Start-Ups". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  18. ^ Meyer, David (September 12, 2014). "Genband buys iPhone VoIP pioneer fring to help carriers fight Skype and WhatsApp". GigaOm. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  19. ^ "GENBAND CEO Charlie Vogt to step down". FierceTelecom. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  20. ^ Sean Buckley (February 18, 2004). "GENBAND furthers OTT push with uReach acquisition, adds messaging capabilities". Fierce Telecom. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  21. ^ Norman, Mike (September 26, 2014). "GENBAND Kandy: A Communications Platform as a Service". The Virtualization Practice. Archived from the original on September 27, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  22. ^ "Disruptor 50: No. 22 GENBAND". CNBC. 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  23. ^ Ray Le Maistre (January 20, 2016). "Genband Wins Round 1 in Court Clash With Metaswitch". Light Reading. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  24. ^ "Kandy Celebrates Two Years of Significant Growth with a Differentiated Real Time Communications Platform Offering". Press release. September 22, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "Prospectus for Sonus Networks, Inc". US Securities and Exchange Commission. May 24, 2000. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  26. ^ William Gardner (May 21, 2008). "Nottenburg Joins Sonus Networks As Chief Executive". Network Computing. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  27. ^ "Sonus Networks Introduces New Version Of Network Border Switch". Press release. August 2, 2006. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  28. ^ "Sonus Acquires Network Equipment Technologies". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  29. ^ "Sonus to Acquire Performance Technologies | Light Reading". Light Reading. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  30. ^ "Sonus Snaps Up Taqua for $20M". Light Reading. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  31. ^ "Sonus Networks, Inc. Announces Completion of Sonus and GENBAND Merger". Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  32. ^ Dan Jones (May 23, 2010). "Sonus & Genband Finally Combine to Form $745M Company". Light Reading. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  33. ^ Iain Morris (December 14, 2017). "Ribbon Cuts Ties With Ray Dolan, Names New CEO". Light Reading. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  34. ^ Sharma, Ray. "Fritz Hobbs to Lead Ribbon as President and CEO". Retrieved 2018-09-03.
  35. ^ "Ribbon Communications (RBBN) Announces Departure of CEO Franklin Hobbs". StreetInsider.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  36. ^ "Ribbon Communications announces completion of Edgewater Networks acquisition". Press release. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  37. ^ "Verizon Offers SBC as a Service with Ribbon as Part of Virtual Network Services". UC Today. January 31, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  38. ^ "Ribbon Communications to buy ECI Telecom for $486m". Globes. November 14, 2019.
  39. ^ "Former Arris CEO Bruce McClelland gets top job at Ribbon". FierceTelecom. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  40. ^ Inc, Ribbon Communications. "Ribbon Communications Inc. Announces Bruce McClelland as Its President, Chief Executive Officer and Director". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.

External links[]

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