TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
<i> Times Staff and Wire Reports</i>
Cabletron Backs Off Bid for Rival: The Rochester, N.H.-based firm has abandoned an attempt to purchase networking equipment maker Chipcom Corp. or thwart the proposed $775-million acquisition of Chipcom by 3Com Corp. Analysts said it is likely that Cabletron Systems Inc. was merely seeking to throw a wrench in 3Com’s plans. Cabletron would have had to control more than 50% of Chipcom’s outstanding stock to block the merger. A combined 3Com-Chipcom will create the nation’s second-largest maker of equipment that links personal computers and networks, ranking behind only Cisco Systems Inc. in the $10-billion market.
