Western Multiplex, Proxim complete merger

Wireless networking equipment makers Western Multiplex and Proxim announced Tuesday that their respective shareholders voted to approve the merger of the two companies. The merged entity will be named Proxim, and the former shareholders of Western Multiplex and Proxim now own approximately 50 percent each of the combined company. Western Multiplex Chairman and Chief Executive Jonathan Zakin will be CEO and chairman of the merged company, while former Proxim CEO David King will assume the role of chief operating officer. Keith Glover, the chief financial officer of the pre-merged Proxim, retains his post with the combined company, which will be based in former Proxim's headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif. The former Proxim was a major proponent of a wireless networking technology called HomeRF, which faces fierce competition from major companies that back another protocol known as 802.11b, or Wi-Fi.