The Tech blogs and news agencies are excited about the recent Cisco acquisiton.
Some newspapers discuss the sums Cisco recently paid (~$3 Billions for Tandberg, ~$3 Billions for Starent Networks), some like the LTE angle, another speculates Juniper will be hurt. From every angle, the recent acquisitions are interesting.
Tandberg: For years, Cisco supplied Video conferencing equipment, OEMed from several manufacturers, including Israeli Radvision (RVSN). What has triggered Cisco to change their business plan and buy a manufacturer? Market Growth? Deep Pockets?
Starent Network: Signals that Cisco is also going into the Wireless world. Starent equipment is indeed in the networking space, but strongly coupled to Wireless deployments.
My take: Cisco has the money (deep pockets), found the chance (economic downturn) to acquire good companies with great products and bright future. This is yet another step outside of the their core business, growing into a more diverse Corporation (flirting with Monopoly).