Cisco Systems Agrees to Acquire MaxComm

Cisco Systems Inc., the world’s No. 1 maker of Internet equipment, agreed to buy closely held MaxComm Technologies Inc. for $143 million in stock to expand its ability to provide high-speed Internet access to homes. San Jose-based Cisco also said it paid $49 million for a 4% stake in closely held Akamai Technologies Inc. as part of an agreement to develop technology to increase the speed and reliability of Internet sites. The purchase of Chelmsford, Mass.-based MaxComm would give Cisco hardware and software that let telecommunications companies offer extra telephone lines and high-speed Internet access without new wiring. Akamai, based in Cambridge, Mass., runs a global network of 900-plus computers and is working with Cisco to manage and monitor the Web site for NetAid, a set of United Nations-hosted benefit concerts Oct. 9. Cisco shares fell 94 cents to close at $63.31 on Nasdaq.