Alcatel Shells Out $180 Million For Internet Devices

French networking company Alcatel continued its strategy ofbuying its way into the Internet market when it agreed yesterday to acquire Internet Devices for approximately $180 million in cash.

Internet Devices produces IP-based virtual private network technology, something Alcatel says it needs as it strives to become an end-to-end network data provider for corporate users and service providers. Alcatel will maintain Internet Devices' offering as a stand-alone product as well as integrate it into its existing portfolio.

The move is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Alcatel. During the past two years, it spent $2 billion for networking equipment maker Xylan Corp., $315 million for networking vendor Packet Engines, $350 million for remote access tools maker Assured Access Technology, and $4.4 billion for transmission equipment supplier DSC Communications.