HPE has moved a step closer to acquiring Juniper Networks after the EU promised not to stand in its way.

According to Reuters, the European Commission will soon grant HPE “unconditional approval” for the acquisition of Juniper Networks, which was announced in January. The Commission had given itself until August 1 to examine the impact of a takeover on the networking industry. After this investigation, the Commission sees no reason to block the takeover, writes Reuters based on well-informed sources.

For HPE, an important hurdle has been overcome, but the champagne cannot be uncorked yet. The British market supervisory authority is still conducting its own investigations, and a verdict is expected on August 14. If the British CMA also wants to cooperate, there should be little standing in HPE’s way. The company itself hopes to be able to complete the takeover by early 2025.

Potential superpower

There are some concerns that the acquisition of Juniper would make HPE a leader in the networking industry. With Aruba Networks, the company already has a major network player in its portfolio. Parties like Cisco should be proud.

“Both Aruba and Juniper have a five- to six-billion-dollar networking business. If you add that together, you potentially double your business. “The acquisition will further change the perception that HPE is more than just a computer company,” David Hughes told us during the recent HPE Discover edition.

HPE would have about fourteen billion dollars at its disposal to acquire Juniper Networks.