Thompson Advisory Group, Inc., one of the largest telecommunications consulting firms in the United States, said on Monday that it has been acquired by Alcatel- Lucent to help enterprise customers cut their telecom expenses by leveraging network outsourcing resources.

The Alcatel-Lucent company that will operate this business will be known as Thompson Advisory Group LLC.

TAG and Alcatel-Lucent executives stated that the consolidation of the carrier space and the needs of its customers have reshaped the industry, creating a desire for more flexible, turnkey network services. In addition, the communications industry is going through a complete network transformation with the convergence of wireline, wireless and IP technologies.

Dallas-based TAG specializes in the procurement of telecommunications services including voice, data, wireless, internet, local, and international services for national and multi- national companies.

Alcatel-Lucent provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. It achieved adjusted proforma revenues of 18.3 billion euros in 2006.