HP Enterprise, Juniper ‘oppose’ DOJ’s decision to file suit to block deal

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Juniper Networks (JNPR) responded to the filing of a complaint by the U.S. Department of Justice seeking to prohibit closing of HPE’s proposed acquisition of Juniper: “We believe the Department of Justice’s analysis of this acquisition is fundamentally flawed and we are disappointed in its decision to file a suit attempting to prohibit the closing of the transaction. We will vigorously defend against the Department of Justice’s overreaching interpretation of antitrust laws and will demonstrate how this transaction will provide customers with greater innovation and choice, positively change the dynamics in the networking market by enhancing competition, and strengthen the backbone of U.S. networking infrastructure. Consistent with the conclusions reached by all other major antitrust regulators who have reviewed the deal, this transaction brings together two complementary networking offerings and will create a networking player with the scope and scale to more effectively compete with global incumbents. This proposed acquisition will provide customers of all sizes with a modern, secure network built with AI and for AI to ensure a better user and operator experience, and will create more competition, not less.” The companies said “There is extensive evidence that shows this acquisition is pro-competitive and the product area that is the focus of the DOJ’s suit – Wireless Local Area Network – is characterized by robust competition, with at least eight alternatives to HPE and Juniper.” They added that “The combination creates unparalleled opportunity to better serve both HPE and Juniper customers and acts as an innovation catalyst for the industry.” HPE and Juniper remain “fully committed to the transaction and believe we will prevail in litigation and close the transaction so we can deliver the benefits of this acquisition to our customers.”