March 28 (Reuters) - U.S.-based Keysight Technologies ( KEYS )

will buy Spirent Communications ( SPNUF ) in an all-cash

deal, valuing the British telecommunications testing firm at

1.16 billion pounds ($1.46 billion), both companies said in a

joint statement on Thursday.

Spirent withdrew its support for Viavi Solutions' ( VIAV )

offer of 1.01 billion pounds in favour of Keysight's ( KEYS ) higher

offer.

($1 = 0.7922 pounds)

(Reporting by Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane

Venkatraman

)