Alcatel Buys eDial

PARIS, Sept. 17 -- Alcatel has acquired eDial Inc., a private Waltham, Mass.-based provider of conferencing and collaboration technology for enterprises and service providers, for approximately $27 million in Alcatel stock and cash. The deal closed today.

Alcatel said the acquisition enables it to continue expanding its enterprise software offerings.

eDial, which employs approximately 30 people, currently serves more than 100 customers, including enterprises and service providers, through direct and indirect channels. Its products includes an open SIP (session initiation protocol) software-based platform and applications for conferencing for voice, data and video. eDial also offers a real-time collaboration product that integrates instant messaging, application sharing and presence capabilities.

As part of the acquisition, eDial's development, sales and support operations will remain in Waltham.

For more information, visit: www.alcatel.com