AT&T;, Tandem Announce Unix Deal

American Telephone & Telegraph Co. said Tuesday that it would market and develop some of Tandem Computers Inc.’s Unix-based products in an alliance that may entrench the Unix operating system as a market leader for fault-tolerant computers.

The long-distance telephone giant said it has acquired the rights to develop and market worldwide Tandem’s Unix System V-based computer products and technology in an effort to accelerate the availability and acceptance of System V software.

“This agreement combines AT&T;’s strength in open systems and networking with Tandem’s leadership in fault tolerant platforms,” Richard McGinn, president of AT&T; Computer Systems, said in a statement.

Fault tolerant computers are used when constant operation is required and a second system is used to back up the primary system. Analysts estimate the market for fault tolerant computers at about $1.8 billion.