Broadcom

Corporate brand

A global semiconductor and infrastructure software company serving data centers, communications networks, enterprise computing, and industrial markets.

Last updated October 20, 2026

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Overview

Broadcom Inc. is a multinational technology company that designs, develops, and supplies semiconductor products and infrastructure software. Its semiconductor portfolio covers networking, broadband access, wireless connectivity, storage, optical components, radio-frequency devices, custom silicon, and industrial applications. Its software business focuses on infrastructure systems used by enterprises, governments, communications providers, and large-scale data-center operators. The company traces its industrial lineage to HP Associates, a semiconductor division established by Hewlett-Packard in 1961. That business became part of Agilent Technologies when Hewlett-Packard separated its measurement and life-sciences operations in 1999. In 2005, private-equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Silver Lake Partners acquired Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group and formed Avago Technologies. Avago listed on Nasdaq in 2009 and expanded through a series of acquisitions, including CyOptics, LSI Corporation, PLX Technology, and Emulex. These transactions broadened its capabilities in optical communications, storage, networking, and data-center semiconductors. A decisive transformation came in 2015, when Avago agreed to acquire Broadcom Corporation. The transaction closed in 2016, and the combined business initially operated as Broadcom Limited. The acquisition added Broadcom Corporation's wireless, broadband, networking, and connectivity technologies, while Avago supplied a strong position in storage, optical, and infrastructure components. In 2017, the parent company moved its legal domicile from Singapore to the United States and adopted the name Broadcom Inc.; the former Broadcom Corporation remained a wholly owned subsidiary. After an unsuccessful attempt to acquire Qualcomm was blocked by the U.S. government in 2018, Broadcom redirected its expansion toward infrastructure software. It acquired CA Technologies in 2018 and Symantec's enterprise security business in 2019. These deals changed Broadcom from a predominantly semiconductor company into a hybrid technology supplier with both hardware and recurring software revenue. In 2023, it completed its acquisition of VMware, adding virtualization and private-cloud software. Broadcom subsequently reorganized VMware's portfolio, including the sale of VMware's end-user-computing division to KKR in 2024. Broadcom's customers and partners include cloud and data-center operators, telecommunications companies, electronics manufacturers, server and storage vendors, cable and broadband providers, and enterprise software users. Its chips are commonly embedded in products rather than sold directly to consumers, although end users encounter Broadcom technology in Wi-Fi equipment, smartphones, broadband gateways, networking systems, storage devices, and single-board computers. The company is led by President and Chief Executive Officer Tan Hock Eng and trades on Nasdaq under the symbol AVGO.

History

Broadcom's corporate history begins with HP Associates, a semiconductor operation created within Hewlett-Packard in 1961. The business developed semiconductor products for communications and electronic systems and later became part of Agilent Technologies when Hewlett-Packard completed its corporate separation in 1999. In 2005, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Silver Lake Partners acquired Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group for approximately $2.6 billion and established Avago Technologies. Avago sold certain assets, expanded into optical and radio-frequency components, and completed an initial public offering on Nasdaq in 2009 under the symbol AVGO. Its acquisition programme included the bulk acoustic wave business of Infineon Technologies, CyOptics, LSI Corporation, PLX Technology, and Emulex. The LSI transaction was especially important because it strengthened Avago's storage, networking, and data-center semiconductor capabilities. Avago agreed in 2015 to acquire Broadcom Corporation for cash and stock. The transaction closed in 2016, and the resulting parent company initially used the name Broadcom Limited. Broadcom Corporation contributed major positions in wireless connectivity, broadband, networking, and communications chips. In 2017, the parent company reincorporated in Delaware and changed its name to Broadcom Inc. The former Broadcom Corporation continued as a subsidiary, while AVGO became the surviving public-company ticker. Broadcom's proposed acquisition of Brocade Communications Systems in 2016 triggered review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. In 2017, Broadcom proposed a much larger takeover of Qualcomm. Qualcomm rejected the proposal, and the U.S. government blocked the transaction in 2018, citing national-security concerns associated with control of a strategically important communications-chip company. Broadcom withdrew its offer shortly afterward. The failed Qualcomm transaction encouraged a shift toward infrastructure software. Broadcom purchased CA Technologies in 2018, adding enterprise, mainframe, and systems-management software. In 2019, it acquired Symantec's enterprise security business, while the consumer-security operation was separated from the transaction. These acquisitions created a second operating pillar alongside semiconductors. Broadcom also faced competition-law scrutiny. U.S. regulators examined its contracting practices, and the European Commission issued interim measures in 2019 concerning alleged restrictions in chipset supply agreements. In 2021, Broadcom agreed to a U.S. Federal Trade Commission settlement involving allegations that restrictive terms and threatened retaliation were used to maintain monopoly power. The company agreed to discontinue certain exclusivity or quasi-exclusivity arrangements and related practices. In 2022, Broadcom announced its intention to acquire VMware, a leading provider of virtualization and private-cloud software. Competition authorities in the United Kingdom, European Union, China, and other jurisdictions reviewed the deal. The transaction closed in November 2023 after regulatory conditions and commitments allowed it to proceed. Broadcom then emphasized VMware's core private-cloud and virtualization products, reorganized the portfolio, and sold the end-user computing division to KKR in 2024. Today, Broadcom operates across semiconductor and infrastructure software markets. Its hardware is used in data-center switching, custom computing, broadband access, mobile and wireless devices, optical communications, storage, and industrial systems. Its software portfolio includes virtualization, mainframe, enterprise systems management, cybersecurity, and related infrastructure products. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and is led by President and CEO Tan Hock Eng.

2024
End-user computing business sold to KKR
[2]Broadcom corporate newsbroadcom.com
Broadcom sells VMware's end-user computing division to KKR as part of its post-acquisition portfolio focus.
2023
VMware acquisition closes
[2]Broadcom corporate newsbroadcom.com
Broadcom completes the VMware acquisition after multi-jurisdictional regulatory review.
2022
VMware acquisition announced
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Broadcom announces a proposed cash-and-stock transaction to acquire VMware.
2019
Enterprise security acquisition from Symantec
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Broadcom completes the purchase of Symantec's enterprise security business.
2018
CA Technologies acquisition closes
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Broadcom completes its acquisition of CA Technologies and enters a major new phase of infrastructure-software expansion.
2017
Parent becomes Broadcom Inc.
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
The company moves its legal domicile to Delaware and adopts the Broadcom Inc. name.
2016
Combined company begins operating as Broadcom Limited
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
The Avago-Broadcom transaction closes and the combined parent adopts the Broadcom Limited name.
2015
Broadcom Corporation acquisition announced
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Avago announces its agreement to acquire Broadcom Corporation in a cash-and-stock transaction.
2013
CyOptics acquisition
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Avago acquires optical-chip and component supplier CyOptics, expanding its fiber-optics portfolio.
2013
LSI acquisition announced
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Avago announces its approximately $6.6 billion acquisition of LSI Corporation, strengthening storage and data-center semiconductors.
2009
Avago goes public
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Avago Technologies completes its Nasdaq listing under the AVGO ticker.
2005
Avago Technologies is formed
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
KKR and Silver Lake acquire Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group and establish Avago Technologies.
1999
Semiconductor operation becomes part of Agilent
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
HP's corporate separation places the semiconductor business within Agilent Technologies.
1961
HP Associates is established
[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Hewlett-Packard establishes the semiconductor operation that forms the earliest corporate predecessor of Broadcom.

Products and positioning

A high-scale supplier of mission-critical semiconductors and infrastructure software, emphasizing engineering depth, embedded market positions, enterprise switching costs, and acquisition-led portfolio expansion.

Data-center Ethernet switching
Tomahawk
Tomahawk is a family of high-performance Ethernet switch ASICs designed for large data centers and cloud networks. The platform is aimed at very high bandwidth, low latency, and large-scale interconnection workloads. It is generally supplied as an embedded component to networking-equipment manufacturers rather than as a consumer retail product.
Ethernet switching
Trident
Trident is a Broadcom switching-chip family used in enterprise, campus, service-provider, and data-center networking equipment. Its emphasis is programmable packet processing, port density, and support for common Ethernet networking functions. Products based on Trident silicon are typically incorporated into switches and routers made by equipment vendors.
Wireless semiconductors
Broadcom wireless connectivity chipsets
Broadcom supplies integrated and discrete components for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio-frequency connectivity, and related wireless functions. These products are used in mobile devices, personal computers, consumer electronics, access points, and embedded systems. The portfolio includes client and infrastructure components supporting successive generations of wireless standards.
Broadband semiconductors
Broadcom broadband access chipsets
Broadband products support cable, fiber, DSL, and other access-network equipment. They are used in gateways, modems, network termination devices, and communications infrastructure. The business connects Broadcom's semiconductor technology with telecommunications and home-networking markets.
Infrastructure software
VMware virtualization and private-cloud software
VMware products provide virtualization, server consolidation, private-cloud management, software-defined data-center functions, and hybrid-cloud infrastructure. Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, these products became the central focus of Broadcom's enterprise software strategy and are sold primarily to large organizations and service providers.
Enterprise software · 2018
CA enterprise infrastructure software
The CA Technologies portfolio includes mainframe, application-performance, systems-management, automation, and enterprise infrastructure tools. Broadcom acquired CA in 2018 to add software products with established enterprise deployments and recurring maintenance relationships.
Cybersecurity software · 2019
Symantec enterprise security
Broadcom's Symantec enterprise portfolio includes security products for organizations, endpoints, networks, information, and cloud environments. Broadcom acquired the enterprise portion of Symantec in 2019; Symantec's former consumer-security business was not part of the acquired operation.

Controversies

2026
CISPE complaint concerning VMware licensing
CISPE asked the European Commission to examine Broadcom's VMware licensing and cloud-service-provider programme, alleging increased prices, bundling, and restrictive commercial terms. Broadcom disputed the allegations. The Commission's assessment was reported as ongoing.
Source
2021
U.S. Federal Trade Commission antitrust settlement
The FTC alleged that Broadcom used restrictive contract provisions and threats of retaliation to preserve monopoly power. The settlement required the company to stop specified contracting practices and avoid certain exclusivity arrangements.
Source
2021
Broadcom agrees to FTC settlement in monopoly case
Broadcom agreed to a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission in a case involving alleged monopoly practices. The article says the settlement requires changes to Broadcom's sales tactics and that the company will cease the challenged practices.
Source
2020
IFT files patent infringement lawsuit against SMIC, Broadcom, Cypress Semiconductor, and DISH Network
Innovative Foundry Technologies (IFT) announced that it filed a patent infringement lawsuit against SMIC, Broadcom, Cypress Semiconductor, and DISH Network in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. IFT accused the defendants of infringing four of its patents; the allegations are not presented as a court determination.
Source
2020
Court orders Apple and Broadcom to pay Caltech $1.1 billion in patent damages
In a patent dispute involving Caltech, a California court ordered Apple and Broadcom to pay a collective $1.1 billion in damages for patent infringement. Apple and Broadcom denied infringement and said they would appeal the verdict. The ruling was reported on January 30, 2020.
Source 1 Source 2
2020
EU accepts Broadcom settlement in antitrust case
The European Commission accepted a settlement from Broadcom in an antitrust investigation into alleged uncompetitive sales practices involving TV and modem chipsets. The Commission had accused Broadcom of practices including exclusive purchasing requirements, rebates, bundling, and undermining interoperability.
Source
2020
Broadcom sues Netflix over alleged patent infringement
Broadcom filed a lawsuit against Netflix alleging that Netflix infringed eight patents related to video playback and data transmission. Broadcom also claimed Netflix's use of the technology harmed its ability to sell set-top-box semiconductor chips.
Source
2019
European Union interim antitrust order
The European Commission imposed interim measures requiring Broadcom to suspend certain alleged anticompetitive practices in chipset-related agreements while its competition investigation proceeded.
Source

2024
Divest VMware end-user computingStrategy
Background
Broadcom reviewed VMware's inherited product portfolio after completing the acquisition and focused on its core virtualization and private-cloud activities.
Action taken
Sold the end-user computing division to KKR.
Aftermath
The divestiture narrowed Broadcom's VMware portfolio and supported a more focused infrastructure-software strategy.
Reported transaction value. $4 billion (2024 transaction)
Source
2022
Acquire VMwareM&A
Background
Broadcom aimed to make VMware the core of a larger infrastructure-software platform covering virtualization and private-cloud operations.
Action taken
Announced a cash-and-stock transaction to acquire VMware, reported at approximately $61 billion before assumed debt.
Aftermath
The acquisition closed in November 2023 after extensive regulatory review. Broadcom subsequently sold VMware's end-user computing division to KKR.
Announced equity transaction value. $61 billion, plus assumed debt (2022 announcement)
Source
2019
Acquire Symantec enterprise security businessM&A
Background
Broadcom continued building an enterprise infrastructure-software portfolio after the CA Technologies acquisition.
Action taken
Acquired Symantec's enterprise security business for approximately $10.7 billion in cash.
Aftermath
Broadcom retained the Symantec enterprise brand and capabilities, while the consumer-security business was separated.
Cash purchase price. $10.7 billion (2019 announcement)
Source
2018
Acquire CA TechnologiesM&A
Background
After the blocked Qualcomm bid, Broadcom pursued infrastructure software as a new avenue for scale and diversification.
Action taken
Agreed to acquire CA Technologies for approximately $18.9 billion and completed the transaction later that year.
Aftermath
The deal established a substantial enterprise-software platform alongside Broadcom's semiconductor business.
Announced transaction value. $18.9 billion (2018 announcement)
Source
2015
Acquire Broadcom CorporationM&A
Background
Avago sought to broaden its communications-semiconductor portfolio and increase scale in wireless, broadband, networking, and data-center markets.
Action taken
Announced a cash-and-stock acquisition valued at approximately $37 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in 2016 and created the company that later became Broadcom Inc.
Announced transaction value. $37 billion (2015 announcement)
Source

Recent events

2024
Broadcom sells VMware end-user computing division to KKR[2]Broadcom corporate newsbroadcom.com
M&A
Broadcom agreed to sell the VMware end-user computing business inherited through the VMware acquisition to private-equity firm KKR.
2023
Broadcom completes VMware acquisition[2]Broadcom corporate newsbroadcom.com
M&A
After regulatory review in multiple jurisdictions, Broadcom completed its acquisition of VMware in November 2023 and began integrating VMware into its infrastructure software portfolio.
2022
Broadcom announces VMware acquisition[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Broadcom announced a proposed cash-and-stock acquisition of VMware, valued at approximately $61 billion before assumed debt and widely reported at approximately $69 billion including debt.
2019
Broadcom acquires Symantec enterprise security business[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Broadcom agreed to acquire Symantec's enterprise security business for approximately $10.7 billion in cash, while Symantec's consumer business remained separate.
2018
U.S. government blocks Broadcom's proposed Qualcomm takeover[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Regulation
A presidential order stopped Broadcom's proposed acquisition of Qualcomm after national-security concerns were raised during U.S. foreign-investment review.
2018
Broadcom agrees to acquire CA Technologies[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Broadcom announced an approximately $18.9 billion acquisition of CA Technologies, beginning its major expansion into infrastructure software.
2017
Broadcom changes its legal domicile and adopts the Broadcom Inc. name[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
Other
The company moved its legal domicile from Singapore to Delaware and changed its parent-company name from Broadcom Limited to Broadcom Inc.
2016
Broadcom acquisition closes[12]博通与高通解决专利和竞争纠纷en.wikipedia.org
M&A · Leadership change
The acquisition closed on February 1, ending Broadcom Corporation’s independent public-company status and creating the combined Broadcom Limited.
2015
Avago announces acquisition of Broadcom Corporation[1]Broadcomen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Avago Technologies announced a cash-and-stock transaction to acquire Broadcom Corporation, creating a much larger supplier of communications and infrastructure semiconductors.
2015
Avago agrees to acquire Broadcom[12]博通与高通解决专利和竞争纠纷en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Avago Technologies announced an agreement to acquire Broadcom Corporation in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $37 billion at announcement.

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