As was expected, Avaya (AV), the spawn of such once-great companies as AT&T Bell Labs and Lucent will be taken private by private equity firms TPG Capital and Silver Lake for $8.2 billion.

For public shareholders, the telecommunications company will not be missed. The firm fetched $17.50 a share. Even at this high price, the stock will only be back to where it was in early 2004.

Good riddance.

Douglas A. McIntyre