acquisitionsLinksys

Acquisitions involving Linksys describe the corporate transactions that moved the Linksys brand between companies and shaped its role in the consumer networking market. Linksys, a U.S.-based manufacturer of networking equipment known for its home routers and wireless devices, was established in 1988 and grew into a leading consumer brand before and during the early 2000s.

In 2003, Cisco Systems announced the acquisition of Linksys for approximately $500 million, integrating the brand into Cisco's consumer products division. The deal marked Cisco’s expansion from enterprise networking into home networking devices and services, aligning Linksys with its broader portfolio in the consumer technology market.

In 2013, Belkin International announced that it would acquire Linksys from Cisco for about $500 million. The transaction closed during 2013, and Linksys became part of Belkin's portfolio, with branding retained as Linksys and often marketed as Linksys by Belkin. The move positioned Belkin to broaden its consumer networking offerings, including routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems.

Current status and impact: Today, Linksys operates as a brand within Belkin International, continuing to release routers, mesh Wi-Fi systems, extenders, and related networking products for consumers. The acquisitions reflect broader industry consolidation in networking hardware and a strategic shift for Cisco away from the consumer segment in the 2010s. Linksys remains a recognizable name in home networking, with ownership by Belkin shaping its product development and market strategy.