Briefs

FRAMINGHAM (02/10/2000) - Voice and data network equipment builder Lucent Technologies Inc. in Murray Hill, N.J., has announced that it will purchase Ortel Corp., an Alhambra, Calif.-based maker of optoelectronic components for cable TV networks. Lucent said the $2.95 billion stock deal will allow it to utilize Ortel's technology to accelerate the transition of cable TV from a one-way broadcast venue to a two-way interactive communications offering. The acquisition is expected to be completed midyear.

Redwood City, Calif.-based Phone.com Inc., which makes software that enables Internet connections via wireless devices, has announced plans to buy Paragon Software Ltd., a British company whose software allows wireless phone users to move information to and from their PCs. The deal, which is expected to close during the first quarter, is valued at approximately $500 million in stock.

Paragon Software shareholders will receive 3.6 million Phone.com stock shares, in addition to $7.6 million in cash. Phone.com said the acquisition will provide added value to its Wireless Application Protocol software.

Tripp Lite, a Chicago-based maker of uninterruptible power supplies, has introduced new online uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems that it said provide better online power conditioning and reliability at a lower price than competitors' products. Pricing for the new Unison UPS systems in the 1,000 to 2,200 volt-ampere range begins at $799.

In a separate announcement, Tripp Lite said it has been chosen by IBM to build and sell UPS systems under the IBM brand name. Tripp Lite said eight such systems will be introduced later this year.