The International Nortel Networks Users Association () issued a statement saying it backed Nortel's decision to file for bankruptcy protection Wednesday and believes it will result in a .

"INNUA's members are dedicated Nortel customers who will continue to support the reliable Nortel solutions they have in place," the organization said in a statement. "INNUA believes Nortel's decision will afford the company the opportunity to truly focus on strengthening the business to meet Nortel customers' current and future communications needs."

INNUA President Steve Ford said the filing came as a surprise.

"We've all read the media on what's been going on but it's always surprising, even when you anticipate that something's coming, that it actually does happen," he says. "But I think they'll emerge from this doing fine."