PARIS—French news organizations reported Alcatel Inc. has confirmed that it bought Fujitsu’s remaining 34 percent stake in the UMTS joint-venture, Evolium, which the two companies formed in 2000.
Though financial details have not been disclosed, the purchase is interesting because Alcatel has been rumored to be in talks with Nortel Networks Ltd. as the Canadian equipment vendor considers whether it should sell off its UMTS business.
Nortel reported second-quarter earnings today, but declined to confirm whether negotiations over its UMTS business were ongoing with Alcatel or any other vendor.
Alcatel’s pending acquisition of Lucent Technologies Inc. is set to close by the end of this year.
