(Adds background and company and analyst comment).

By Rory Gallivan

LONDON--U.K.-based mobile testing services group Anite PLC's (AIE.LN) board have agreed to be bought by U.S. peer Keysight Technologies Inc (KEYS), a deal that comes as consolidation among telecommunications customers pressures testing companies.

As part of the deal, worth around 388 million pounds ($606 million), Anite shareholders will receive 126 pence per share, a 22.3% premium to Anite's closing price Tuesday, the two companies said Wednesday.

Shares in Anite were up 23% to 127 pence at 0851 GMT. Panmure Gordon analyst George O' Connor said Anite shareholders are likely to seek "a competitive bid."

Anite Chairman Clay Brendish said the deal has a "strong strategic logic" as the company's software expertise would complement Keysight's hardware capabilities.

He added: "Our market has been characterised by ongoing customer consolidation, increasing the importance of scale and strength to support customers around the globe and invest in major research and development programmes across the technology cycle."

A spokesman for Anite said deals such Microsoft Corp's (MSFT) 2013 acquisition of Nokia Corp's (NOK1V.HE) mobile phone business had resulted in reduced orders for Anite. Anite, in its latest financial results for the half year ended October 31, said the handset testing industry continues to suffer from consolidation among customers.

"The combination of Keysight and Anite--two global leaders with complementary strengths--enables us to offer a broad portfolio of leading-edge solutions throughout the wireless research and development cycle," said Ron Nersesian, president and chief executive of Keysight.

Keysight provides measurement services in the wireless communications, aerospace and defense and semiconductor market.

Hampshire-based Anite provides laboratory-based systems for testing mobile devices and tools that collect data on network coverage and performance.

-Write to Rory Gallivan at rory.gallivan@wsj.com; Twitter: @RoryGallivan

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