MURRAY HILL, N.J., May 24 -- Lucent Technologies said today it has acquired Telica, a maker of telecommunications equipment that transmits telephone calls over high-speed data lines, for approximately $295 million in stock and options, plus additional cash payments to itsemployees.
Lucent said the acquisition of Telica, a private company based in Marlboro, Mass., will strengthen its Accelerate portfolio for large-scale VoIP networks that deliver multimedia voice, video and data services to enterprises and consumers, and that it will enhance its ability to bridge next-generation and legacy networks for its wireline and wireless customers.
Lucent will exchange 92.7 million shares of common stock and options for all of Telica's equity. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close during Lucent's fourth fiscal quarter 2004.
"Lucent is committed itted to providing our customers with best-in-class VoIP networking solutions that will help them introduce new IP services and capture new revenue from their networks," said Janet Davidson, president of Lucent Technologies' Integrated Network Solutions (INS) business.
"We have been focused on strengthening our business in a number of areas where we see the potential for market growth, including VoIP, metro optical, broadband access and mobile high-speed data," said Bill O'Shea, Lucent's executive vice president of corporate strategy and business development. "With market conditions stabilizing, we felt the time was right to make this strategic acquisition to complement our internal development at Bell Labs. Telica is a great match in the VoIP space."
Telica has about 250 employees worldwide, with most at its headquarters. Telica founder and CEO John St. Amand will remain with Lucent and oversee Telica as it becomes part of Lucent's INS business.
For more information, visit: www.lucent.com