Communications equipment manufacturer World Access Inc has been spending again, this time acquiring Advanced TechCom Inc, a designer and manufacturer of digital microwave radio systems. Under the terms of the agreement ATI shareholders will receive $10m of World Access shares in exchange for their ATI shares. In addition, Atlanta, Georgia-based World Access will take on $5m of ATI’s debt. The acquisition of the Wilmington, Massachusetts company is the latest stage in World Access’ strategy to broaden its wireless switching, transport and access product offerings. A couple of weeks ago World Access announced its intention to spend $71m acquiring a 55% stake in telephony switching systems and telecoms software developer NACT Communications Inc (CI No 3,321), and last summer it bought Galaxy Personal Communications Services Inc for $7.5m (CI No 3,234). ATI president Ernie Lin and his staff will stay on and manage the company, operating as a division of World Access. In its last financial year, Advanced TechCom generated around $15m in sales, and World Access sees it as a good acquisition opportunity because of its revenue potential, its customer base in the US and Latin America, and the synergy it has with its existing business.
