Avaya fires back at Verizon over Nortel bid

Avaya responded to Verizon's claims that bringing Nortel's Enterprise Solutions group under the Avaya fold would jepordize U.S. national security and military services with a brief statement. The statement, reproduced in its entirety below, contained no specific answers to Verizon's claims, as Avaya likely is saving those arguments for the special bankrutpcy court hearing about the matter scheduled for today.

Today is also the day the Enterprise Solutions division is to be auctioned in an undisclosed location in New York City, according to a TMC article. We'll let you know as soon as we hear any news about the winning bidder, but it's a safe bet that the final price will be much higher than Avaya's $475 million opening salvo.

Avaya's statement:

"Avaya is committed to providing current and future customers of Avaya with the highest levels of service and support as we pursue the acquisition of Nortel Enterprise Solutions. Avaya is engaged in discussions with Verizon to attempt to negotiate suitable arrangements for the assumption of the contracts referenced in Verizon's motion filed September 9, 2009. Avaya continues to believe that the acquisition of Nortel's Enterprise Solutions unit by Avaya will deliver significant value for customers and other stakeholders of both companies."