Ribbon Communications

Ribbon Communications was founded in 2017, following the merger of GENBAND and Sonus Networks.[2]

Franklin (Fritz) W. Hobbs was appointed as President and CEO of the combined organization[3] and served in that role until November 2019.[4]

In November 2019, Ribbon announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire ECI Telecom, through a merger, for $486 million in cash and stock.[5]

In February 2020, Bruce McClelland was named president, CEO and director.[6][7]

The company's board consists of: Beatriz v. Infante, Director; Bruns H. Grayson, Director; Kent J. Mathy, Director; Kim S. Fennebresque, Director; Richard J. Lynch, Director; Rick W. Smith, Director; Scott E. Schubert, Director; Krish Prabhu, Director; and Steward Ewing, Director.[8]  

GENBAND was founded in 1999 as General Bandwidth by Paul Carew, Brendon Mills, Ron Lutz and Steve Raich in Austin, Texas and received initial venture capital funding of $12 million.[9]

In March 2006, General Bandwidth changed its name to GENBAND, Inc. and moved its headquarters to Plano, Texas.[10]

GENBAND started as a media gateway vendor selling the G6 media gateway, but eventually branched out to IP switching, IP Applications, IMS and Session Border Controllers.

In 2007, GENBAND acquired Tekelec's Switching Solutions Group,[11] which expanded GENBAND's product offerings in applications software and SIP trunking gateways.

In 2008, the company acquired Nokia Siemens Networks’ Surpass HiG media gateway product portfolio, including fixed-line trunking media gateways.[12] The company concluded 2008 with the acquisition of NextPoint Networks,[13] which included session border controller (SBCs) and security gateway offerings.

In 2010, GENBAND purchased Nortel Networks' Carrier VoIP and Application Solutions (CVAS) business.[14]

In 2011, GENBAND acquired Cedar Point Communications.[15]

In 2012, GENBAND acquired Aztek Networks, a switch maker specializing in hardware that allows for a smoother transition from legacy to IP networks.[16]

In 2012 GENBAND was named the top-ventured capital backed company by the Wall Street Journal out of nearly 6,000 companies that were considered.[17]

In 2013, GENBAND acquired Fringland Ltd., known for the Fring! app, an Over-the-top (OTT) mobile IP communications service provider.[18] Two years later, GENBAND announced the launch of the Fring Alliance, a global OTT community that enables communications service providers to come together to provide instant messaging, voice and video services to their subscribers.

In 2013, then CEO Charles Vogt left GENBAND, following this; David Walsh became CEO in addition to his existing Chairman title.

In 2014, GENBAND acquired uReach Technologies, a provider of Unified Communications (UC) and messaging solutions, and introduced the Generation Enterprise family of unified communications products and services for business customers.[19]

In 2014, GENBAND launched Kandy, a cloud-based, real-time software development communications platform-as-a-service (PaaS).[20]

In May 2015, GENBAND was named one of the world's most disruptive companies, ranking 22nd in CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list.[21]

In addition to internal research and development, the company gradually expanded its product portfolio through multiple acquisitions. Prior to its merger with Sonus, GENBAND currently held more than 240 U.S. patents and was granted more than 100 patents in other countries.

Sonus Networks, Inc. was founded in August 1997 by entrepreneurs Jay Pasco-Anderson, Karl Schwiegershausen, Mike Hluchyj, Rubin Gruber and Tony Risica.[22]

In 1998, Sonus Unveiled the World's first Carrier-Class IP Telephony Switch, GSX 9000.[23]

In May 2000, Sonus Networks Inc., went public.

In January 2001, Sonus acquired Anousheh Ansari's firm Telecom Technologies, Inc., in an all-stock deal. Sonus subsequently integrated TTI's softswitch technology INtelligentIP into its own packet telephony suite.

In August 2012, Sonus acquired Network Equipment Technologies, Inc., for $1.35 per share, or approximately $42 million. The acquisition complemented their existing SBC line with the NET UX series for SIP Trunking and SIP-based UC.[24]

On Dec 13, 2013, Sonus Networks, Inc. and Performance Technologies Inc entered into a definitive merger agreement, under which Sonus will acquire PT for $3.75 per share in cash, or approximately $30 million.[6]

In 2014 Sonus Networks Inc., acquired Performance Technologies, moving into the diameter signaling market.[25]

In 2016 Sonus Networks Inc., acquired Taqua expanding its softswitching portfolio.[26]