Nokia and Microsoft; What Now?

While I’m trying to get a handle on all that has happened (in the middle of the fricken night! why now?), some pretty important questions needs to be addressed. For me most importantly will “Nokia” phone still exist as a brand? Or will they be Microsoft Lumias etc? First of all the Nokia name is probably one of the biggest assets of Microsoft’s acquisition, people have trusted Nokia’s build quality and phones for years, Microsoft would be insane to let that go.

According to Engadget Microsoft has also acquired the rights for Nokia’s branding, meaning we will probably continue to see “NOKIA” on devices, possibly “Nokia powered by Microsoft” or Nokia with a Microsoft logo (think of it like the Xbox (not a lot of people even know Microsoft owns it).

“will be able to use the Nokia branding on its products”

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/02/microsoft-will-acquire-nokias-devices-and-services-business/

With that big question (for me at least) settled, what else?

Well in terms of who’s coming and who’s going, we already posted that Marko Ahtisaari will be stepping down immediately, but in fact the big names will remain the same for the most part.

• Stephen Elop will carry on at Nokia’s as the Executive VP of Devices & Services, , meaning he would still remain effectively in-charge of “Nokia”, then transition to head of Buisness services at Microsoft (and presumably onto CEO?)
  “Under the current plan, Elop–now Nokia’s executive VP of devices and services–is set to be head of Microsoft’s devices business once the Nokia deal closes.”
• Meanwhile many of the big names such as Jo Harlow, Chris Weber, Juha Putkiranta and Timo Toikkanen will remain on board
• In terms of the “CEO” of Nokia, the current chairman of the board; Risto Siilasmaa will assume an interim CEO position

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/02/stephen-elop-stepping-down-as-nokia-ceo-risto-siilasmaa-takes-h/

What about the future of the real Nokia, what will they do?

Nokia will continue to work on the HERE mapping spectrum of things, as well as with its recent acquisition of NSN, it will continue to further its LTE technology and others, as well as focusing on “advanced technologies” (whatever that means).

What about Finland? Nokia’s hometown? Apparently Microsoft have chosen it to be their new “data center’ for European consumers.

Microsoft also announced that it has selected Finland as the home for a new data center that will serve Microsoft consumers in Europe. The company said it would invest more than a quarter-billion dollars in capital and operation of the new data center over the next few years, with the potential for further expansion over time.

Also I’d like to point out that Microsoft have not purchased Nokia’s patent portfolio, as mentioned in the agreement, they’ve signed a 10 year non-exclusive agreement; meaning Nokia’s largest asset is retained. Microsoft will also pay for HERE map licences usage in their devices

Nokia will retain its patent portfolio and will grant Microsoft a 10-year non-exclusive license to its patents at the time of the closing.

Microsoft will become a strategic licensee of the HERE platform, and will separately pay Nokia for a four-year license – See more at: http://press.nokia.com/2013/09/02/microsoft-to-acquire-nokias-devices-services-business-license-nokias-patents-and-mapping-services

Category: Lumia, Nokia, Windows Phone