TECHNOLOGY - Feb. 24, 1995

AT&T; and French Partner Quadral Hang Up on Bull: The companies withdrew at the last minute from talks about taking a big stake in the French state-owned computer maker, and the breakdown raised doubt about the outcome of the privatization. They said they quit the negotiations because the French government refused to open the telecommunications market before its scheduled deregulation in 1998. “This prerequisite, essential for the implementation of the strategy proposed by AT&T; and Quadral, is not compatible with the timetable set by the authorities for the privatization of Bull,” the two companies said in a joint statement issued on the last day of the second round of the government’s tender for bids from groups interested in buying at least 10% of money-losing Bull.