Lucent Stresses Teamwork In Enterprise Space - works with several companies to develop mobile data solutions

A week before releasing its quarterly earnings report, Lucent Technologies [LU] wants investors to know it's not all by itself trying to build its business supplying wireless data technologies in the enterprise space. Lucent is working with Agere Systems [ARG.A], Hewlett-Packard [HPQ], iPass, ipUnplugged and Sierra Wireless [SWIR] to develop and market a package it calls "Secure Mobile Data Solutions for Enterprises."

And Lucent will work with wireless carriers using its infrastructure equipment to sell data services accessible on next-generation networks and through local-area systems. Those operators know little about selling data services in the enterprise space because it isn't the same as selling voice connectivity. "What we're really trying to with this solution is to make it easier for the operators to offer this solution to the enterprises," Maria Palamara, a director of Lucent's Mobility Solutions Group, told Communications Today. "In wireless data, the decisions are more made by the IT office in the enterprise," Palamara added. "The relationships are not necessarily there, nor the knowledge on how to address their concerns."

Lucent, which has scheduled the release of its third-quarter (April-June) results for Tuesday, is projected to post a per-share loss of 11 cents, compared to a loss of 23 cents per share ($3.25 billion) in the same period a year ago. The Murray Hill, N.J.-based company posted its eighth consecutive quarterly net loss for the January-March period this year, though its net loss narrowed to $535 million, or 16 cents a diluted share.