Microsoft is to buy Nokia’s mobile phone business for 3.8bn euros (£3.2bn) as it attempts to expand its share of the smartphone market.
In addition to the purchase of the devices and services unit is a 10-year licence to use Nokia’s patents at a cost of 1.7bn euros (£1.4bn) – with the option of extending the agreement indefinitely.
The Finnish firm – once the darling of the mobile phone sector – tied with Microsoft two years ago when it ditched the Symbian operating system in favour of Windows software for its top smartphones.
But those devices still languish behind premier products from the likes of Apple and Samsung in terms of sales.
However, the latest market share research showed Nokia was the second largest seller of all mobile phones in the second quarter of the year – behind Samsung – with 14% after selling 60.9 million devices in the three months to June.
While Microsoft overtook BlackBerry for the first time in the smartphone operating system market, taking the third spot, it had just 3.3% of the business.
The deal was seen as aiding Microsoft’s transition from a software firm to one that was much more serious about cracking the mobile market.
It was confirmed that 32,000 Nokia employees would transfer to Microsoft on completion of the sale – expected early next year.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer – who confirmed last month that he was soon to retire – said of the deal: “We are very excited about the proposal to bring the best mobile device efforts of Microsoft and Nokia together.
“We are receiving incredible talent, technology and IP (intellectual property).”
Nokia confirmed Stephen Elop would step aside as president and CEO to become executive vice president of Nokia devices and services. This will be the second time Elop has worked for Microsoft (indirectly). Prior to his placement at Nokia as CEO, he was Head of Business Division at Microsoft. At the time of his departure from Microsoft it was discussed that his new role may have been partly to align Nokia with Microsofts’ interests for a possible take-over bid. [Relevant]
Chairman Risto Siilasmaa will stay in his current role and assume the duties of interim CEO.
Elop is expected to join Microsoft at the close of the transaction, along with several Nokia vice presidents.
The announcement marked the second mega deal for the telecoms sector in a day after UK-based Vodafone confirmed the sale of its 45% stake in US group Verizon Wireless for $130bn (£84bn) – netting its investors a £54bn cash and shares windfall.
