Not looking to sell R&D units clarifies Alcatel-Lucent

Global telecom giant Alcatel-Lucent is likely to sell its research and development (R&D) centers in India. CNBC-TV18 learns that it has approached three IT firms for a possible buy. These include Wipro , Infosys and Cognizant. The combined value of arm is expected at Rs 250 crore, informed a source. However, when contacted an Alcatel spokesperson said that they were not looking to sell R&D units in India. He added; "We continue to strongly invest in next generation technologies. We did announce in December that we engaged in a global strategic transformation. This includes looking at co-sourcing opportunities where appropriate. But we have nothing to announce at present."

Here is a verbatim transcript of Kritika Saxena's comments on CNBC-TV18. Also watch the accompanying video.

Alcatel-Lucent has about 2,700 engineers working in its research and development centres in India across five cities. Our sources tell us that the telecom major has put its research and development centres on the block except one in Chennai which in partnership with the Department of telecom of Chennai. Sources tell us that at a combine value of all these R&D centres are expected to be valued at Rs 250 crore. Now the company has approached IT majors like Infosys, Wipro and Cognizant namely to buy these arms now. When we approached these companies source inside the company told us that Infosys was definitely looking to decliner and they were slightly cautious on the amount, Rs 250 crore relatively small amount but given the downturn they would be cautious on this. Infosys, Cognizant were considering but nothing confirmed as yet on this now.

Sources say that Alcatel-Lucent would be looking to shed off this arm by the next 2-3 quarters.