3Com nabs NTX for $90 million

3Com yesterday forked out $90 million for US-based network-based telephony systems specialist NBX. The deal brings to 3Com the small-to-medium sized business-oriented voice and data network integration products it needs to fill out its LAN telephony line. Last year, it teamed up with Siemens to develop and market high-end products for corporate organisations. According to 3Com, the worldwide market for LAN telephony will be approximately $5 billion by 2003 with more than two-thirds of the sales going to small and medium enterprises. The two companies will apparently continue to operate as separate entities, with NBX taking on and offering 3Com's current and future voice products. Its own solutions will be pumped through 3Com's worldwide reseller channel. ®