By Noor Zainab Hussain
Feb 20 (Reuters) - Anite Plc said it was innegotiations for a potential sale of its travel reservationsoftware business, in line with the company's previouslyannounced strategy to focus on its wireless division.
Anite had said earlier on Thursday that it was considering asale of its Anite Travel unit, sending the company's shares up 2percent in late trading on the London Stock Exchange.
"The negotiations are very sensitive", Anite spokesman RegHoare told Reuters, declining to provide any further details,including names of potential buyers.
The business accounted for about 15 percent of the company'stotal revenue of 132.5 million pounds ($221 million) in the yearended April 30.
The sale of the travel business would leave Anite with itswireless network and handset testing businesses, where itsclient list includes Samsung Electronics andVodafone.
The company's Chief Executive Christopher Humphrey said lastJuly that Anite was looking to position itself as a globalleader in wireless testing software, especially given theincrease in investments for the roll-out of 4G networks.
For the past few years, the handset-testing unit has beenriding on strong demand for long-term evolution (LTE) 4Gproducts.
To bolster its wireless business, Anite bought networktesting products distributor Genetel SAS for 1.5 million euros($2 million) in July, and radio channel emulator maker Propsimfor 31 million euros in January.
Anite in December said it expected the handset-testingbusiness to boost revenue in the second half, after contractdelays hurt profit in the first six months.
Anite's shares closed up 2 percent at 88.85 pence onThursday.