Nortel Networks Ltd. said it has completed the scheduled transfer of certain optical design operations and related assets in Ottawa and Monkstown, Northern Ireland, to Flextronics. The transfer was part of a larger transaction announced earlier this year. The remainder of the divestiture is scheduled to close in the first half of next year. “This is a milestone for both companies as we take our growing relationship to a new level,” said Sue Spradley, president of global operations at Nortel Networks. “With Flextronics now focusing on product cost reduction and fast-tracking the development of new features related to our well-established optical products, Nortel Networks will be better positioned to concentrate on next-generation optical architectures, products and solutions-areas where we believe we can gain the most competitive advantage.”
Revenue assurance company Azure Solutions said it has acquired Connexn Technologies. The combined companies will operate under the Azure name. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. All existing customer and partner agreements will be honored, and Azure said it will maintain Connexn’s offices in Westminster, Colo., as its new North American operations center. Azure was spun off from British Telecommunications plc last year.
Siemens AG and Mercedes-Benz announced a partnership to equip Mercedes vehicles with mobile phones. The first available device is the multimedia CX65 mobile phone, which can be included directly from the factory when ordering any Mercedes model in the E, CL, CLK, CLS, S, SL and SLK classes beginning this month. The tri-band phone includes a VGA digital camera phone, an attachable flashlight and an e-mail client.
SBC Communications Inc. said it has completed the sale of its remaining 20.6 million shares in Danish telecommunications provider TDC A/S for approximately $740 million. SBC announced its intention to dispose of the TDC stake and said the sale would be undertaken by a private placement to institutional investors.
