Cisco Systems Still Making French Connection

Alleging heavy handedness by the French telecommunications giant Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie, San Jose-based Cisco Systems Inc. won't continue its strategic cooperation deal with the company. "Alcatel treats everybody like little subcontractors," gripes Mike Volpi, Cisco Systems' vice president for acquisitions and partnerships. Disappointment with Alcatel has not caused Cisco Systems to disconnect with all things French, however. It recently bought Selsius Systems Inc., a U.S. Internet-phone subsidiary of Paris-based Lagardre SCA, for $145 million.