Lucent Dangles Its Fiber Business

Lucent Technologies Inc.'s optical fiber business is under the microscope as the company considers selling, forming a joint venture or other alternatives.

Bill O'Shea, executive vice president for corporate strategy and business development, said the re-examination of the fiber business is part of Lucent's effort to sharpen its corporate focus on communications systems, software and services.

The Optical Fiber Solutions business unit employs 6300 people in developing and manufacturing premium fibers from its headquarters in Norcross, Ga. It has several facilities in the US and abroad and is in the middle of a $1 billion expansion program.