BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Avaya today announced that it has signed agreements to purchase Nortel's enterprise solutions business for US$475 million. Avaya believes the agreements are a significant step in strengthening its leadership in business communications and positioning the company to effectively deliver industry leading enterprise communications solutions to customers around the globe.
"The addition of Nortel Enterprise Solutions will increase Avaya's global scale, expand our channel partner network, and strengthen our world-class portfolio of products and services," said Kevin Kennedy, president and CEO, Avaya. "This is a strategic opportunity to acquire talent and complementary assets that position the combined company for growth and success. We are committed to protecting the communications investments of the customers of Avaya and Nortel, and to effectively executing the integration of Nortel Enterprise Solutions and Avaya."
"As the largest reseller of Avaya and Nortel equipment to Canadian business, Bell believes Avaya's history of leadership in enterprise communications makes it an ideal candidate for this proposed transaction," said St??phane Boisvert, President of Bell Business Markets. "Bell was the first major service provider to standardize on both Avaya and Nortel IP telephony solutions, and we are confident Avaya will continue to provide partners and customers with innovative business communications technologies and responsive customer support going forward."
The proposed acquisition includes the Nortel Enterprise Solutions voice, data and government systems businesses.
"Avaya's proposed acquisition of Nortel Enterprise Solutions is good news for our customers, who would benefit from the broadened range of compelling solutions," said Hanif Lalani, CEO, BT Global Services. "BT and Avaya have been working closely, and successfully, over the last couple of years. Building on our success, BT has plans to expand this engagement with Avaya over the next year to offer a full unified communications portfolio. Today's news strengthens this expansion plan."