Feb 11 (Reuters) - Juniper Networks ( JNPR ) denied the
allegations by the U.S. Department of Justice, after the agency
sued to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise's ( HPE ) $14 billion
all-cash takeover of the networking gear maker, according to a
court filing.
Last month, the DOJ argued in its complaint that the
proposed deal would stifle competition and lead to Cisco Systems ( CSCO )
and HPE controlling more than 70% of the U.S. market
for networking equipment.
The complaint does not correctly represent the market
dynamics for wireless network solutions and the companies'
rationale for the deal, Juniper said in a filing made to a
federal court in California on Monday.
There are more than eight companies offering wireless
networking solutions in the U.S., other than Juniper and HPE, it
said.
Cisco ( CSCO ) has had more than 50% of the market for the past 10
years, while HPE and Juniper have had a combined share of less
than 25% over the last three years, according to the filing.
The combined market share of HPE and Juniper are lower than
a level that would allow the DOJ to presume the deal as illegal,
it said.
The deal, announced more than a year ago, would boost
competition against Cisco ( CSCO ), Juniper said.
The DOJ's antitrust lawsuit marks the first since President
Donald Trump's second term in office.