Lucent Technologies has officially opened Bell Laboratories Australia -- the largest software development centre situated outside the US, for the company's Business Communications Systems unit.
According to Scott Coles, executive director of Bell Labs Australia, it is the "nerve centre" for Bell Labs' software development in the Asia-Pacific region. The software business for Lucent Technologies, is estimated to be worth about $3.2 billion. The centre now has 40 researchers and engineers, and is expected to grow to 90 staff in five years.