Bellcore May Have Found A Buyer

Bellcore, the research and development cooperative of the Baby Bells, has been shopping itself around since last year and a likely buyer has reportedly emerged.

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the seven regional Bell companies were prepared to sell Bellcore for $700 million to Science Applications International Corp., a defense contractor.

It said the sale could be announced this week, subject to the approval of the Baby Bells’ boards.

“No decision to sell the company has been made at this time,” said Bellcore spokeswoman Barbara McClurken. Science Applications spokeswoman Jane Van Ryan said the company does not discuss “reports regarding its business plans or potential business opportunities.”

The Bellcore consortium, whose scientists pioneered fiber-optic technology, was formed in 1984 with the breakup of American Telephone and Telegraph Co.