3Com scoops up NBX for $90 million

3Com today bought Net telephony upstart NBX for $90 million in cash, a move that underscores the company's interest in offering voice technology for small businesses.

NBX builds network-based telephone systems that integrate voice and data. Since October, the company has sold and shipped products to more than 100 customers, said Tim Jalland, 3Com's vice president of business development for voice, video, and data.

"It's a major step for our converged networking strategy," he said. "This is specifically focused on the small business sector, which is traditionally a strong base for 3Com."

Some 90 NBX employees will join 3Com's enterprise business unit.

Jalland said today's deal rounds out 3Com's portfolio in the market to deliver voice, video, and data communications to businesses.

In December, the company and Siemens announced a $100 million joint venture to develop computer telephony hardware and software for the mid- to high-end markets.