In what has been described by Nokia as “The Next Chapter”, and “a bold step into the future” for Nokia as a company, it has been announced that Microsoft plans to purchase Nokia’s Devices and Services Unit for €3.79 billion, and licensure of their patent portfolio. Their mapping services will also be included as part of the package and will be interesting to see what grows of it especially after Google acquires waze. Looks like Microsoft is dead serious in the mobile game!The deal will see the transfer of around 32,000 Nokia employees to Microsoft. Including Nokia CEO Stephen Elop who is stepping aside as the company’s chief executive, replaced by Risto Siilasmaa as interim CEO (formerly chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors).
Stephen Elop will assume the role of Nokia Executive Vice President of Devices & Services, the division being sold to Microsoft.
The deal will be subjected to approval by Nokia’s shareholders in an “extraordinary general meeting” on the 19th of November 2013. The deal is expected to close the first quarter of 2014.
In a letter from Steve Balmer and Stephen Elop,
“Today’s agreement will accelerate the momentum of Nokia’s devices and services, bringing the world’s most innovative smartphones to more people, while continuing to connect the next billion people with Nokia’s mobile phone portfolio.
With the commitment and resources of Microsoft to take Nokia’s devices and services forward, we can now realize the full potential of the Windows ecosystem, providing the most compelling experiences for people at home, at work and everywhere in between.”
With this being a BlackBerry oriented site, you might be wondering why this news has appeared on it. But in my opinion, it concerns BlackBerry as a integrated manufacturer as well.
With this acquisition, all 4 major platforms now has their own hardware division. BlackBerry and Apple has always been an integrated manufacturer, producing their own OS and hardware. Google (Android) has Motorola, and soon, Microsoft (Windows Phone) will have Nokia.
Source: Press Release, Letter from Steve and Stephen
