$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')b]Tech wreck behind Nortel demise
Rapid overexpansion of network in the late 1990s spurred Nortel's epic fall from grace
Brett Popplewell
Business Reporter
Jan 15, 2009 04:30 AM
In Ottawa's west end, those left in the city's emaciated high-tech industry watched the titan's demise with a mix of intrigue and sadness.
Yesterday, as chief executive Mike Zafirovski tried to reassure the 30,000 bewildered employees still working for Nortel Networks, those within the company and the many who had already left were lamenting the failure of one of Canada's biggest success stories.
With a market capitalization of more than $350 billion (U.S.) nine years ago – more than the combined market values of Microsoft and Google today – few would have predicted Nortel's descent to penny-stock status today. The stock fetched just 12 cents (Canadian) at yesterday's close on the TSX.
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An accounting scandal led to the company's firing of former CEO Frank Dunn and other top executives, costing Nortel $2.4 billion (U.S.) in cash and shares to settle shareholder lawsuits in early 2006.
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