SI Org makes deal for part of Telcordia

The SI Organization has acquired Applied Communication Sciences, a company with a history that dates back to the legendary Bell Labs.

Applied Communication Sciences was created as an independent company last year to mitigate U.S. government concerns from the acquisition of Telcordia by Swedish-based Ericsson.

Telcordia was formerly Bell Communications Research Inc., or Bellcore. It was created when AT&T’s Bell system was broken up in 1982. AT&T kept part of Bell Labs, and Bellcore was formed so the Regional Bell Operating Companies or RBOCs would have their own research arm.

Science Applications International Corp. acquired Bellcore in 1997, after a year-long approval process, and changed the name to Telcordia. SAIC sold the company in 2004 to private equity firms, who held it until the sale to Ericsson.

The business that the SI Organization has acquired has capabilities in cybersecurity and information assurance, network and operations, data analytics, advanced software and methodologies, wireless and mobility, application engineering and integration, smart grid, and optical networking and quantum technologies, according to a company statement.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Applied Communication Sciences will operate as a subsidiary of the SI Organization. ACS CEO Brent Greene will remain on board to run the business.

“With ACS, we are acquiring a technology company with a focus on cyber security, network communications and other leading-edge technologies key to critical infrastructure protection and optimization,” said Bill Graham, president and CEO of the SI. “In light of the unique nature of much of ACS's work, acquisition by a U.S. owner will strengthen relationships with many U.S. government clients.”