Bellcore

[David Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

SHIFTING SANDS AT BELLCORE
Responding to the uncertainty of the current climate among its seven
owners, Bellcore is preparing itself for the worst. Anticipating a possible
sale, Bellcore's head of applied research has overseen what he calls, "a
shift from the physical to the virtual." Software now accounts for 70% of
the lab's efforts, and traditional R&D has shrunk to 10%. Industry
observers have expressed concern over the move away from basic research:
"Bellcore could have a tremendous role with its intimate knowledge of
networks. But a contract basis is a much less secure base on which to
support a quality research organization." (Scientific American Jan.'95
p.29)