Press Release: Nokia D&S Sale to close in April – “Next Billion via Nokia Mobile Phones”

Nokia has posted a press release whilst MS has published a blog post regarding the sale of Nokia’s D&S to MS which is expected to close in April. MS notes that they’re waiting approval in a few final markets. MS are also looking to introduce the “next billion” to Microsoft ia Nokia mobile phones. Next Billion used to be Nokia’s phrase at catching the entry level users in the developing markets. Nokia notes that the wait is due to anti-trust authorities in Asia, and it is not connected to the tax issues in India.

______

Nokia expects the sale of substantially all of its Devices & Services business to Microsoft to close in April 2014 .

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that it now expects the transaction whereby the company will sell substantially all of its Devices & Services business and license its patents to Microsoft to close in April 2014. This compares with Nokia’s previous expectation on the transaction closing in the first quarter of 2014, which Nokia communicated when the company first announced the transaction on September 3, 2013. Nokia and Microsoft remain committed to the transaction.

As previously communicated, the closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Nokia and Microsoft have already received most of the required regulatory approvals, including approvals from the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. Furthermore, Nokia and Microsoft continue to make good progress related to the closing conditions and integration planning. However, the transaction is pending approvals from certain antitrust authorities in Asia which are still conducting their reviews.

Nokia and Microsoft continue to be confident that the transaction will close, resulting in the sale of substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business to Microsoft, and both companies are working diligently to close the transaction as expeditiously as possible.

Nokia reiterates that ongoing tax proceedings in India have no bearing on the timing of the closing or the material deal terms of the anticipated transaction between Nokia and Microsoft.

Source: Nokia, MS 

Cheers Alvester for the tip!

Category: Nokia