Avaya Announces Agreements to Purchase Nortel's Enterprise Solutions Business update from July 2009

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."The transaction is subject to a competitive bidding process and requires the approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Avaya expects that hearings before those courts to approve bidding procedures will be held within the next couple of weeks, followed by an auction, with hearings for approval of the ultimate sale to be held thereafter.

In EMEA, Avaya has entered into an agreement with the Joint Administrators, on behalf of the EMEA entities for which they have been appointed and the transaction is subject to information and consultation with employee representatives and approval of the courts in France and Israel. The transaction is also subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of necessary regulatory approvals.

About Avaya
Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world.   Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

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