Scientific Atlanta has a new name

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., March 15 (UPI) -- Scientific Atlanta is now known as the Cisco Service Provider Technology Group, a report said Saturday.

The name change comes as Cisco Systems Inc., which owns SA, brings the Lawrenceville, Ga.-based maker of cable television converter boxes closer to its parent company, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

The newspaper said Jim McDonald, SA's chief executive officer since 1993, will now serve as an advisor to Tony Bates, the senior vice president and general manager of the service-provider group.

Cisco bought Scientific Atlanta in 2006 for nearly $7 billion.

"Cisco took its time in making changes," company spokeswoman Peggy Ballard said. "They didn't just want to come in and change to a model where we wouldn't have success."