Nortel built a strong reputation in enterprise telephony for quality, support and multi-region deployment. It was primarily a business equipment vendor rather than a consumer mobile-phone maker. Following Nortel's 2009 restructuring and the sale of its enterprise business (acquired by Avaya), original Nortel phones became legacy devices. Businesses should migrate to supported VoIP or unified-communications systems and secure any remaining legacy hardware.

Where Nortel phones fit in telecom history

Nortel was a major global supplier of enterprise telephony equipment and business desk phones. In the 1990s and 2000s the company built a reputation for reliable PBX systems, IP desk phones and enterprise services that appealed to large organizations worldwide. Customers praised Nortel for strong support, solid hardware quality and broad regional deployment.

What the original article got right - and what needed clarity

The 2006 article highlighted Nortel's global reach and device compatibility. That reflected reality for enterprise telephony: Nortel products were engineered to work across many network environments and regional deployments, and the company supported multiple line technologies (analog, digital and IP-based systems) to meet diverse customer needs.

One important correction: Nortel was primarily known for business and carrier equipment, not consumer mobile handsets. Most devices were desk phones or network elements for businesses rather than cell phones for roaming consumers.

The industry shift and Nortel's fate

The telecom landscape changed sharply in the late 2000s as VoIP, software-based communications and competitive consolidation accelerated. Nortel filed for creditor protection in January 2009 and subsequently sold major business units. Avaya acquired Nortel's enterprise solutions business in 2009, absorbing many of its PBX and IP-phone product lines and support obligations.

For customers this meant a long transition: many legacy Nortel systems remained in service for years, but manufacturers and service providers gradually phased them out in favor of modern unified-communications platforms from Avaya, Cisco, Microsoft and others.

Where Nortel phones are today

Original Nortel-branded phones are no longer produced by the original company. However:
  • Many legacy Nortel desk phones and PBX systems still operate in organizations or appear on secondary markets.
  • Support and software updates for older Nortel products moved to acquiring companies and third-party maintenance firms; long-term firmware and security support ended for many models.
  • Most enterprises have migrated or are migrating to modern VoIP and unified-communications solutions that offer cloud options, SIP-native endpoints and broader interoperability.

Practical advice for organizations using Nortel gear

If you still run Nortel phones or PBX systems, plan a migration path. Priorities should include verifying vendor support, evaluating SIP/VoIP replacement options, securing legacy equipment, and budgeting for phased upgrades to current unified-communications platforms.

Bottom line

Nortel played an important role in enterprise telephony and earned a reputation for quality and global deployment. Since the company's restructuring and sale of enterprise assets in 2009, its original phones have become legacy equipment. Organizations should treat Nortel installations as end-of-life systems and plan transitions to supported, modern communications platforms.

FAQs about Nortel Phones

Are Nortel phones still being made?
No. The original Nortel no longer produces phones. After Nortel's restructuring in 2009, its enterprise phone business was sold and Nortel-branded devices entered legacy status. New deployments use platforms from Avaya, Cisco, Microsoft and other vendors.
Can I still use Nortel phones with modern VoIP systems?
Some Nortel IP phones can interoperate with modern systems if adapters or gateways are available, but firmware, security patches and vendor support may be limited. For long-term reliability and security, plan a migration to supported SIP-native endpoints or cloud unified-communications services.
Where can I get support for old Nortel equipment?
Support options include the company that acquired the enterprise assets, third-party maintenance providers, and specialized telecom integrators. Availability depends on the specific model and regional support contracts.
Were Nortel phones designed for international use?
Nortel focused on enterprise desk phones and systems engineered to work in multiple regional network environments. That differs from consumer mobile handsets that use cellular frequency bands. Nortel's strength was compatibility across enterprise network types (analog, digital, IP), not mobile roaming.

News about Nortel Phones

Due Diligence: Why It's Key to Your Avaya-Nortel Enterprise - No Jitter [Visit Site | Read More]

When we were kings: The rise and fall of Nortel - The Globe and Mail [Visit Site | Read More]

Nortel patents sold for $4.5bn - The Guardian [Visit Site | Read More]

Google and Rockstar end Nortel patent litigation suit - BBC [Visit Site | Read More]

The Life Scientific: Chi Onwurah - BBC [Visit Site | Read More]

Rise of famous Devon town as a high-tech powerhouse - Devon Live [Visit Site | Read More]

Did a Chinese Hack Kill Canada’s Greatest Tech Company? - Bloomberg.com [Visit Site | Read More]