MRV Communications
| Company type | Private (after acquisition) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Shlomo Margalit, Zeev Rav-Noy |
| Defunct | August 14, 2017 |
| Fate | Acquired by ADVA Optical Networking |
| Headquarters | Chatsworth, California , United States |
| Products | Metro and Access optoelectronic components, Ethernet switching and Optical Transport solutions, Packet-Optical platform, Carrier Ethernet Access devices, Optical networking infrastructure |
MRV Communications was a telecommunications firm headquartered in Chatsworth, California. On August 14, 2017, it was purchased by ADVA Optical Networking for around $69 million.
History
Established in 1988 by Shlomo Margalit and Zeev Rav-Noy, MRV initially concentrated on Metro and Access optoelectronic components. The company also created the subsidiary LuminentOIC, which focused on fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology.
Product development
Throughout the 1990s, MRV focused on developing Ethernet switching and Optical Transport solutions tailored for Metro and campus networks. It produced switches and routers designed for carriers implementing Metro Ethernet services aimed at enterprise and multi-tenant residential markets.
In 1999, MRV served as the primary supplier for Swedish Telecom’s world-first national Metro Ethernet network. That same year, the company introduced a Linux-based IP router utilizing network processor technology.
By 2005, MRV launched the industry’s inaugural Packet-Optical platform that combined IP/MPLS/Ethernet with WDM technologies, achieving MEF CE 1.0 certification. In 2008, it released the first dedicated 10GE demarcation device specifically for Carrier Ethernet Access.
In 2009, MRV implemented its OptiSwitch Ethernet demarcation in the first commercial 4G LTE Mobile Backhaul network and debuted a low-latency optical solution (Fiber Driver) aimed at High-Frequency Trading applications.
The firm introduced the first Physical layer 10G switch designed for laboratory automation in 2010 and was among the early adopters to secure MEF CE 2.0 certification in 2012.
In 2014, MRV presented its leading-edge WDM metro product series, OptiDriver. The following year saw the launch of OptiPacket, recognized as the industry’s first purpose-built 100G CE 2.0 Network Interface Device (NID).
Acquisitions and investments
MRV expanded through acquisitions beginning with Galcom Networking in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1992.
The company broadened its offerings by purchasing Fibronics International from Elbit Ltd. in 1996 and acquiring Interdata in 1997—a French system integrator specializing in optical networks, network architecture, and security solutions for both operators and enterprises.
In 1998, MRV invested $35 million to acquire Xyplex Networks, enhancing its remote management and IP routing capabilities for WAN services while extending distribution networks throughout the US and Europe.
Further expansion occurred in 2001 with the acquisition of Alcadon AB, a Nordic system integrator focused on passive and active optical networking infrastructure.
In 2010, MRV divested Source Photonics, Inc. to Francisco Partners and later sold Alcadon AB to Deltaco AB in 2012.