Networking gear maker plans IPO

BigBand Networks Inc., a maker of equipment that sends high-speed video over the Internet, became the second networking company in a week to announce plans for an initial public stock offering.

The IPO’s price and number of shares to be sold haven’t been determined, the Redwood City, Calif.-based company said in a statement Friday. Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch & Co. will lead the offering.

Communications equipment companies are seeing increased demand as cable and phone operators deliver combined video, voice and data over the Internet. Aruba Networks Inc., which sells wireless gear to businesses, registered to go public Dec 15. Shares of Acme Packet Inc., a maker of gear for Internet service providers, have doubled since the company’s IPO in October.

BigBand’s website says its customers include Verizon Communications Inc. and Time Warner Inc.