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Atheros agreed to buy Intellon in September 2009 in a deal valued at approximately $244 million, combining Atheros’s Wi-Fi and Ethernet products with Intellon’s powerline-communications technology. The announced value was $181 million after subtracting Intellon’s cash and investments as of June 30, 2009; the transaction closed on December 15, 2009.
What did Atheros buy, and why?
Intellon developed integrated circuits and solutions that sent network data over existing electrical wiring. Its technology addressed home powerline networking and networked entertainment, as well as broadband-over-powerline access, Ethernet-over-Coax and smart-grid management. In a shareholder-approval release, Intellon reported that it had sold more than 35 million HomePlug-based integrated circuits. Atheros’s December 15, 2009 completion release and Intellon’s December 2009 shareholder-approval release describe those products and sales.
Atheros already made wireless LAN and Ethernet products. Adding powerline communications gave it another way to connect devices around the home and extended its portfolio toward broadband access and smart-grid infrastructure. The strategic idea was to combine complementary connection methods—not to replace Wi-Fi, but to make wired-through-the-electrical-system networking another option where wireless coverage or conventional Ethernet was less convenient. Atheros CEO Craig Barratt said the combination was intended to support digital-home networking and low-power, always-connected infrastructure.
How much did Atheros pay?
| Measure | Amount and meaning |
|---|---|
| Announced transaction value | Approximately $244 million, announced September 8, 2009. Atheros’s announcement described this as the deal value. |
| Value net of Intellon cash and investments | $181 million, after subtracting Intellon’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2009, according to the same announcement. |
| Announced value per Intellon share | $7.30, based on Atheros’s average closing share price over the five trading days through September 4, 2009. The merger-agreement filing specifies the valuation method. |
The $244 million headline and the $181 million net-of-cash figure are different ways of describing the announced transaction, not competing estimates of the cash paid at closing. The $7.30 was also a valuation based in part on Atheros’s stock price; it was not an all-cash price per Intellon share.
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- 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 - This device is meant for for areas where thick walls block Ethernet connections, where routers or range extenders do not work. Compatible with all TP-Link powerline adapters.
- 𝐀𝐕𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐔𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐭 - Powered by HomePlug AV2, delivers AV1000 powerline speeds through existing electrical wiring. Speeds cannot exceed your internet plan's limit and may be lower due to wiring quality, distance, and interference.
- Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐲 - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
How was the consideration structured?
The merger agreement set the consideration at 45%–55% Atheros stock or equivalents, with the balance in cash. That mix meant the value shareholders received was partly exposed to Atheros’s share price. The $7.30 announced value used Atheros’s five-day average closing price through September 4, 2009, rather than guaranteeing that each share would ultimately be worth that amount in cash.
At closing, Atheros reported paying approximately $113.6 million in cash. Its filing said 4,215,904 Atheros shares were issuable to holders of Intellon common stock at the effective time; Atheros’s completion release reported 5,039,561 shares issued when assumed options and restricted stock units were included. These share counts cover different categories, so they should not be treated as contradictory totals. See the completion release and Atheros’s closing Form 8-K.
Rank #2
- EXTEND YOUR ETHERNET CONNECTION THROUGH YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - This device is meant for individuals that are not able to extend their Ethernet connections where routers or range extenders do not work. Speed cannot exceed your internet plan’s limit.
- HOMEPLUG AV2 - Delivers AV2000 powerline speeds over existing electrical wiring, extending home network wired connectivity by up to 750ft through thick walls and other barriers. Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- ADVISORY - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
- 2 GIGABIT PORTS - Provides a secure wired network for connected devices, such as desktops, smart TVs, game consoles, and more. Ethernet cables are included. Tip: Expand connections with an Ethernet switch (sold separately).
When did shareholders approve the deal, and when did it close?
- September 8, 2009: Atheros and Intellon announced a definitive merger agreement.
- December 11, 2009: Intellon stockholders approved the transaction. Intellon reported that more than 77% of shares outstanding and more than 99% of shares voting supported it. Intellon’s approval release gives the vote results.
- December 15, 2009: The merger closed. Intellon common stock ceased to be listed on Nasdaq, as reported in Atheros’s closing Form 8-K.
What happened to Intellon stock?
Intellon’s stockholders approved the merger, and the transaction then closed on December 15, 2009. Intellon shares were no longer listed on Nasdaq after completion. The deal was a cash-and-stock acquisition, so the announced $7.30 value should be understood as the agreement’s valuation—not as a continuing Nasdaq quote or a statement of later investment performance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the deal value does—and does not—show
The announced value captures the transaction’s terms at the time; it does not by itself establish how much value Atheros ultimately created with Intellon’s technology. The cited transaction filings describe strategic expectations, but do not provide a single independently measured long-run post-merger performance result. Any claim about quantified returns or operating gains would require separate evidence.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Use your existing household electrical wiring to extend your existing Internet service to any room in your house..Standards: IEEE 1901 compliant. IEEE 802.3 compliant, this is not a Wi-Fi device
- Homeplug AV2 technology supports Gigabit speeds through your electrical outlets for improved coverage
- Extremely fast Powerline adapter for Gigabit speeds, perfect for connecting your existing internet access to smart TVs, streaming players & game consoles with 4K HD streaming and lag-free gaming through household electrical wiring, this is not a WiFI device
- Extra plug with our noise filtered power outlet built into the adapter to ensure top performance
- Multiple data streams (MIMO) with Beamforming technology to offer improved coverage by directing the signal where you need it through existing household electrical wiring, this is not a Wi-Fi device
Rank #4
- EXTEND YOUR ETHERNET CONNECTION THROUGH YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - This device is meant for areas where thick walls block Ethernet connections, where routers or range extenders do not work. Compatible with all TP-Link powerline adapters.
- AV600 SPEEDS UP TO 750 FEET - Delivers AV600 powerline speeds through existing electrical wiring. Speeds cannot exceed your internet plan's limit and may be lower due to wiring quality, distance, and interference.
- Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- ADVISORY - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
Rank #3
- 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 - This device is meant for individuals that are not able to extend their Ethernet connections where routers or range extenders do not work. Speeds cannot exceed your internet plan’s limit.
- 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐠 𝐀𝐕𝟐 - Delivers AV1000 powerline speeds over existing electrical wiring, extending home network wired connectivity through thick walls and other barriers. Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐲 - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
- 𝐆𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 - provides secure wired networks for desktops, smart TVs or games consoles. Ethernet cables are included.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
