Alcatel-Lucent explores enterprise business

Alcatel-Lucent has confirmed it is 'exploring strategic options' for its enterprise business, a non-core asset that has been reported to be shopped around for a possible sale, reports ComputerWorld.

The company revealed it was exploring options to “enhance the future opportunities of its enterprise business.” All options are being considered, including discussions with third parties, said the company.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced that Alcatel-Lucent was engaged in discussions with several parties involving a sale of the business.

According to Bloomberg, the Paris-based company began considering a sale or an initial public offering of the business that could fetch about EUR1.5 billion in April.

Chief executive officer Ben Verwaayen's is looking to sell assets as part of a three-year turnaround plan at Alcatel. Last year, Alcatel-Lucent sold its vacuum technology unit for EUR200 million, after earlier divesting a stake in aerospace firm Thales SA.

Channel Register reveals that meetings with employee representatives were being held in line with local legal requirements and the ongoing review.

"No decision has been made on the options being explored and there is no certainty that this review will result in any change to the Alcatel-Lucent enterprise business, "noted the company.