The world's largest manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, Alcatel-Lucent, announced in December 2008 that they would be cutting 1,000 managerial positions and 5,000 contracted positions from their global workforce. The job cuts come as part of a plan to save $1.33 billion per year in 2009 and 2010.Information Week: Alcatel-Lucent to Cut Jobs... (December 12, 2008)

Alcatel-Lucent will undergo a major strategic transformation and will take some significant steps to realign its operations. The company will be focusing on three markets: service providers, enterprises and selected verticals and on four key areas of investment: IP, optical, mobile and fixed Broadband and Applications enablement.—Alcatel-Lucent press statementInformation Week: Alcatel-Lucent to Cut Jobs... (December 12, 2008)

We will work closely with our service provider, enterprise customers, and applications providers to make this strategic transformation happen. We want to stimulate a sustainable business model for the industry that will fuel innovation and the capital investment required to expand the overall web experience.—Ben Verwaayen, Alcatel-Lucent CEOInformation Week: Alcatel-Lucent to Cut Jobs... (December 12, 2008)

We are focused on delivering results and restoring profitability.—Ben VerwaayenInformation Week: Alcatel-Lucent to Cut Jobs... (December 12, 2008)