Sarnoff, Alcatel to Partner on Research

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 16 -- Alcatel has selected Sarnoff Corp. as the first American research corporation to be a member of the Alcatel Research Partner Program, established to foster technological innovation through relationships with key research institutes and universities. The two companies also are signing a contract to extend an Alcatel/Sarnoff research effort on the future of mobile telecommunications.

Alcatel unveiled the global Research Partner Program last month in Europe. Sarnoff joins two US universities and four leading European research institutes as members of the new program. The program has three components: research collaboration between Alcatel and the partners, opportunities for exchange of researchers, training and education and "early-stage companies" programs for the development and commercialization of innovative ideas.