{{short description|American network infrastructure manufacturer}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = CommScope Holding Company, Inc. | logo = CommScope logo.svg | image = CommScope Corporate Headquarters.jpg | image_caption = Former headquarters in [[Hickory, North Carolina]] | type = [[Public company|Public]] | traded_as = {{ubl|class=nowrap|{{NASDAQ|COMM}}|[[Russell 2000]] component}} | industry = [[Telecommunication]]s | founded = {{Start date and age|1976}}, in Hickory, North Carolina, U.S. | founder = Frank M. Drendel | hq_location = {{nowrap|[[Claremont, North Carolina]], U.S.}} | key_people = {{ubl|class=nowrap | Claudius Watts | ([[chairman]]) | Charles Treadway | ([[President (corporate title)|president]] and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}} | brands = {{ubl|RUCKUS|NetConnect|SYSTIMAX|Uniprise|ERA|HELIAX|ONECELL|}} | revenue = {{decrease}} {{US$|4.21 billion|link=yes}} (2024) | operating_income = {{increase}} {{US$|257 million}} (2024) | net_income = {{increasenegative}} {{US$|-316 million}} (2024) | assets = {{decrease}} {{US$|8.75 billion}} (2024) | equity = {{decrease}} {{US$|-3.5 billion}} (2024) | num_employees = 20,000 (2024)
| website = {{URL|https://commscope.com/|commscope.com}} | footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/commscope-holding/|title=CommScope Holding|website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|access-date=January 15, 2019|archive-date=January 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115154040/http://fortune.com/fortune500/commscope-holding/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=MGMTTEAM>{{cite web|url=https://www.commscope.com/About-Us/Management-Team/|title=CommScope Management Team|publisher=CommScope Holding Company, Inc.|accessdate=March 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CommScope 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001517228/000095017025027196/comm-20241231.htm |website=SEC.gov |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |date=February 26, 2025}}</ref> }}
'''CommScope Holding Company, Inc.''' is an American network infrastructure provider based in [[Claremont, North Carolina]]. CommScope employs over 22,000 employees.<ref name="next2">{{cite news |last1=Frankel |first1=Daniel |date=April 4, 2019 |title=CommScope Closes $7.4B Arris Purchase |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/commscope-closes-arris-purchase |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |work=Next TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Baumgartner |first1=Jeff |title=Layoffs hit CommScope's Home Networks unit |url=https://www.lightreading.com/cable-video/layoffs-hit-commscopes-home-networks-unit-/d/d-id/759205 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |work=Light Reading |date=April 27, 2020}}</ref><ref name="10K2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517228/000156459018002108/comm-10k_20171231.htm|title=US SEC: Form 10-K CommScope Holding Company, Inc.|accessdate=April 2, 2018|website=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403052042/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517228/000156459018002108/comm-10k_20171231.htm |archive-date=April 3, 2018 }}</ref> The company joined the [[Nasdaq]] stock exchange on October 25, 2013.<ref name="dealbook">{{cite news |last1=Alden |first1=William |title=CommScope, Backed by Carlyle, Has a Rocky Debut |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/10/25/commscope-backed-by-carlyle-has-a-rocky-debut/ |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=October 25, 2013}}</ref>
CommScope designs and manufactures network infrastructure products through its business segments: broadband networks, venue and campus Networks, and outdoor wireless networks.<ref>{{cite news |title=CommScope to Realign Into 4 Biz Segments in 2020 |url=https://www.lightreading.com/cable/commscope-to-realign-into-4-biz-segments-in-2020/d/d-id/756124 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |work=Light Reading |date=December 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name="rcr1">{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Kelly |title=After Arris acquisition, CommScope realigns business segments |url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20191209/network-infrastructure/after-arris-acquisition-commscope-realigns-business-segments |access-date=November 25, 2020 |work=RCR |date=December 9, 2019}}</ref>
== History == CommScope was originally a product line of Superior Continental Cable, which was founded in 1953 in [[Hickory, North Carolina]].<ref name="encyc">{{cite web |title=CommScope, Inc. |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/commscope-inc |website=Encyclopedia.com |accessdate=November 20, 2020}}</ref> In 1961, Superior created a division called Comm/Scope, which developed [[CATV]] systems and sold a [[coaxial cable]] named CommScope. In 1967, Superior was acquired by Continental Telephone Company, with CommScope becoming a division of Continental.<ref name="encyc"/> In 1975, Frank Drendel headed a team charged with selling the product line. Drendel and Jearld Leonhardt founded CommScope in August 1976 after raising $5.1 million to purchase the CommScope product line.<ref>{{Citation|last=CommScope|title=CommScope History Video|date=August 3, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_69MSxbESw|accessdate=June 19, 2017}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref> Two years later, CommScope and Valtech merged under the Valtech name.<ref name="encyc"/> In 1979 Valtech donated fiber optics line and equipment to link the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] to the [[C-SPAN]] studios, enabling live broadcasting of U.S. Congressional proceedings for the first time.<ref name="encyc"/>
In the 1980s, Valtech sold to [[M/A-COM]], and CommScope became part of the Cable Home Group for M/A-COM. In 1983, CommScope formed the Network Cable division for the local area network, data communications, television-receive only, and specialized wire markets. In 1986 M/A-COM, sold the Cable Home Group to [[General Instrument Corporation]], and CommScope became a division of General Instrument.<ref name="encyc"/>
In 1997, General Instrument split into three independent, publicly-traded companies, with its cable operation spun off as CommScope. At the time, CommScope had annual revenues of $560 million and was the largest provider of coaxial cable to cable TV operators.<ref name="nyt2">{{cite news |last1=Landler |first1=Mark |title=General Instrument to Split Into 3 Public Companies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/08/business/general-instrument-to-split-into-3-public-companies.html |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=January 8, 1997}}</ref><ref name="nyt3">{{cite news |last1=Schiesel |first1=Seth |title=Gauging General Instrument's Planned Breakup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/26/business/gauging-general-instrument-s-planned-breakup.html |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=January 26, 1997}}</ref>
In 2000, CommScope opened its new global headquarters in Hickory, North Carolina.<ref name="encyc"/> In 2004, CommScope acquired Avaya's Connectivity Solutions cabling unit and inherited the SYSTIMAX brand, a company perhaps best known for its enterprise cabling systems.<ref name="cabling">{{cite news |title=CommScope completes Avaya ACS acquisition |url=https://www.cablinginstall.com/home/article/16482147/commscope-completes-avaya-acs-acquisition |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |work=Cabling Installation |date=February 4, 2004}}</ref><ref name="wsj2">{{cite news |last1=McBride |first1=Yolanda |title=CommScope to Buy Avaya Unit |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB106727643468652500 |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 27, 2003}}</ref> Avaya's Carrier Solutions, which offered products designed for switching and transmission applications in telephone central offices and secure environmental enclosures, also became part of CommScope.<ref name="cabling"/> This acquisition doubled CommScope's size.<ref name="wsj2"/> In 2007, CommScope acquired the global wireless infrastructure provider [[Andrew Corporation]], which would help CommScope meet demand from mobile phone companies.<ref>{{cite news |title=CommScope to Buy Andrew Corporation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/28/business/28comm.html |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=June 28, 2007}}</ref>
In 2008, CommScope was chosen to provide the [[Dallas Cowboys]] with the connectivity for their new stadium starting with the [[2009 NFL season]], using over 5 million feet of copper and fiber-optic cabling.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cabling Cowboys Stadium: A five-star facility, Texas style |url=https://www.cablinginstall.com/design-install/cabling-installation/article/16466471/cabling-cowboys-stadium-a-fivestar-facility-texas-style |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=Cabling Installation |date=September 1, 2009}}</ref>
In 2011, [[The Carlyle Group]] acquired CommScope.<ref name="wsj1"/> This acquisition made CommScope privately owned by The Carlyle Group and removed it from the [[New York Stock Exchange]].<ref name="next1">{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=CommScope Names Edwards CEO |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/commscope-names-edwards-ceo-258300 |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=Next TV |date=January 14, 2011}}</ref> Eddie Edwards was appointed president and chief executive officer, succeeding Frank Drendel, who had served as CommScope's CEO since the company's founding in 1976. Drendel continued as the chairman of the board.<ref name="next1"/>
On October 25, 2013, CommScope had its [[initial public offering]] on the NASDAQ, being listed as COMM.<ref name="dealbook"/>
In February 2016, it was announced that the [[Daytona International Speedway]] had a new wiring infrastructure from CommScope.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kapustka |first1=Paul |title=Wi-Fi for concourses, suites makes its debut at Daytona 500 |url=https://www.mobilesportsreport.com/2016/02/wi-fi-for-concourses-suites-makes-its-debut-at-daytona-500/ |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=Mobile Sports Report |date=February 20, 2016}}</ref> In June 2016, CommScope was signed by the [[Carolina Panthers]] to upgrade the wireless and wired communications at the team's [[Bank of America Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Elkins |first1=Ken |title=CommScope helps boost digital network at Bank of America Stadium |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2016/06/07/commscope-to-help-upgrade-digital-network-at-bank.html |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=Charlotte Business Journal |date=June 7, 2016}}</ref>
In November 2016, the Carlyle Group announced the sale of its remaining shares of CommScope.<ref name="wsj1">{{cite news |last1=Chin |first1=Kimberly |title=Carlyle Group to Reinvest in CommScope to Help Fund Acquisition |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/commscope-to-buy-telecom-equipment-maker-arris-for-4-93-billion-1541680781 |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 8, 2018}}</ref>
In 2019, for the [[Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge]], a 55 kilometer bridge-tunnel system, CommScope supplied over 110 multiband antennas supporting 2G, 3G, and 4G network bands.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Aaron |title=Keeping commuters connected on the world's longest sea crossing |url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252463707/Keeping-commuters-connected-on-the-worlds-longest-sea-crossing |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=Computer Weekly |date=May 21, 2019}}</ref>
In 2020, CommScope broke into the [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]] rankings for the first time, coming in at the number 381 spot.<ref>Olya, Gabrielle. (December 14, 2020). [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/meet-23-companies-fortune-500-202949191.html Meet the 23 Companies That Are New to the Fortune 500]. ''Yahoo Finance''. Retrieved March 13, 2026.</ref>
On October 1, 2020, CommScope announced that Charles Treadway would succeed Eddie Edwards as the company's new president and CEO. The company also announced that Bud Watts would replace Frank Drendel as chairman, with Drendel being named chairman emeritus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Narcisi |first1=Gina |title=CommScope Announces Leadership Shakeup, Charles Treadway As New CEO |url=https://www.crn.com/news/networking/commscope-announces-leadership-shakeup-charles-treadway-as-new-ceo |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=CRN |date=October 1, 2020}}</ref>
In November 2023, CommScope moved its headquarters from Hickory, to nearby [[Claremont, North Carolina]].<ref>Gilbert, C. Richard. (November 13, 2023). [https://860wacb.com/commscope-move-corporate-headquarters/ CommScope Moves Corporate Headquarters]. ''WACB 860AM – Apple City Broadcasting''. Retrieved March 13, 2026.</ref>
In 2024, it fell from the ''Fortune'' 500 rankings, coming in at the number 503 spot.<ref>Charlote Business Journal. (June 5, 2024). [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/two-charlotte-area-companies-fall-112539596.html Two Charlotte-area companies fall off Fortune 500 list]. ''Yahoo Finance''. Retrieved March 13, 2026.</ref>
In May 2025, CommScope launched its XPND modular fiber termination platform which features interchangeable panels and cassettes, allowing service providers to customize configurations and expand capacity as needed.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=George Winslow |date=2025-05-28 |title=CommScope XPND Modular Fiber Termination Platform Now Available |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/commscope-xpnd-modular-fiber-termination-platform-now-available |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=TV Tech |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2025, CommScope moved their headquarters to [[Richardson, Texas]].<ref>(November 4, 2025). [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/COMM/pressreleases/31889325/commscope-holding-relocates-headquarters-to-texas/ CommScope Holding Relocates Headquarters to Texas]. ''The Globe and Mail''. Retrieved March 13, 2026.</ref>
==Acquisitions== In 2004, the company acquired [[Avaya]]'s connectivity business, including the legacy intellectual property and patents from [[Western Electric]], [[AT&T]], [[Lucent Technologies]], and Avaya.
In June 2007, CommScope acquired [[Andrew Corporation]] for $2.6 billion. Andrew's products included antennas, cables, amplifiers, repeaters, transceivers, as well as software and training for the broadband and cellular industries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 27, 2007|title=CommScope to Acquire Andrew for $2.6 Billion|url=https://www.commscope.com/press-releases/2007/commscope-to-acquire-andrew-for-$2.6-billion/|url-status=live|access-date=June 2, 2017|website=CommScope|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606223223/https://www.commscope.com/press-releases/2007/commscope-to-acquire-andrew-for-$2.6-billion/ |archive-date=June 6, 2020 }}</ref>
In 2015, CommScope acquired [[TE Connectivity]]'s Broadband Network Solutions (BNS) division.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Buckley |first1=Sean |title=CommScope says BNS acquisition will strengthen its FTTX opportunity |url=https://www.fiercetelecom.com/installer/commscope-says-bns-acquisition-will-strengthen-its-fttx-opportunity |work=Fierce Telecom |date=November 10, 2015}}</ref> Later in 2015 CommScope acquired [[Airvana]], a privately held company specializing in small cell solutions for wireless networks.<ref>{{cite news |title=CommScope to acquire small cell vendor Airvana |url=https://www.telecomlead.com/telecom-equipment/commscope-to-acquire-small-cell-vendor-airvana-63822 |work=Telecomlead |date=September 8, 2015}}</ref>
On April 4, 2019, CommScope completed the acquisition of [[Arris International]], a telecommunications equipment manufacturing company and owner of [[Ruckus Networks]]. Both Arris and Ruckus were made brands of CommScope.<ref name="wsj1" /><ref name="next2" />
In October 2020, CommScope acquired the patent portfolio for virtual radio access networks (vRAN) from Phluido, a company specializing in RAN virtualization and disaggregation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2020 |title=CommScope acquires Phluido's vRAN patent portfolio |url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20201020/network-infrastructure/commscope-acquires-phluidos-vran-patent-portfolio}}</ref>
==Divestments== In October 2023, CommScope sold its home networks division to [[Vantiva]] for a 25% stake in Vantiva.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=CommScope Announces Plans to Sell Home Networks Business to Vantiva |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/commscope-announces-plans-sell-home-123000326.html |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 October 2023 |title=France's Vantiva to buy CommScope's Home Networks |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/frances-vantiva-buy-us-commscopes-home-networks-2023-10-03/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
In August 2025, [[Amphenol]] agreed to buy CommScope's connectivity and cable business unit for $10.5 billion,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lauren |title=Amphenol Strikes Big Broadband Deal in AI Boom |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/amphenol-nears-big-broadband-deal-in-ai-boom-3909b0df |access-date=2025-08-05 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> to offset its debt load.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudnitsky |first=Jake |date=2025-08-04 |title=Amphenol to Buy CommScope's Broadband Unit for $10.5 Billion |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-04/amphenol-to-buy-commscope-s-broadband-unit-for-10-5-billion |access-date=2025-08-13}}</ref> The acquisition, which included CommScope trademark and logo rights, was completed on January 12, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investors.amphenol.com/news-and-events/news-details/2026/Amphenol-Completes-Acquisition-of-CCS-Business-From-CommScope/default.aspx|title=Amphenol Completes Acquisition of CCS Business From CommScope|website=[[Amphenol|Amphenol Corporation]]|date=2026-01-12|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref> The remaining rest of the company adopted the [[Vistance Networks]] name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ir.vistancenetworks.com/news-releases/news-release-details/commscope-completes-divestiture-connectivity-and-cable-solutions|title=CommScope Completes Divestiture of Connectivity and Cable Solutions Segment and Rebrands Parent Company|website=Vistance Networks, Inc.|date=2026-01-12|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.commscope.com}} {{Finance links | name = CommScope Holding Company, Inc. | symbol = COMM | sec_cik = 1517228 | yahoo = COMM | google = COMM:NASDAQ | bloomberg = COMM:US }}
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[[Category:Telecommunications companies of the United States]] [[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1976]] [[Category:Telecommunications equipment vendors]] [[Category:Computer companies of the United States]] [[Category:Computer hardware companies]] [[Category:Electronics companies established in 1976]] [[Category:American companies established in 1976]] [[Category:Manufacturing companies based in North Carolina]] [[Category:Companies listed on the Nasdaq]] [[Category:1976 establishments in North Carolina]] [[Category:2013 initial public offerings]] [[Category:Hickory, North Carolina]] [[Category:Corporate spin-offs]] [[Category:The Carlyle Group companies]]