As many have believe that it was only a matter of time before this happens, the day have finally arrived. Microsoft has just announced that they have acquired Nokia‘s – their major Windows Phone partner – devices and services business. With a total value of around RM 24.43 billion (EUR 5.44 billion), the deal will also see Microsoft licensing Nokia’s patents and HERE mapping services which are excluded from the acquisition alongside Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN, formerly Nokia Siemens Networks).
Through the deal, Microsoft will fully owned all segments of Nokia Devices & Services operations including design, production, sales, marketing and related activities surround them. That also means the “Lumia” and “Asha” portfolio will soon belonged to Microsoft as well but not the “Nokia” brand itself which the rights is still retained by the Finnish company. That being said, Microsoft are still able to use the brand under license from Nokia on current and future feature phones that are based on Series 30 and Series 40 operating system for 10-years.
While the whole move is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014, the acquisition will see a transfer of around 32,000 personnels from Nokia to Microsoft including the company’s key leaders such as Stephen Elop who will now step down as Nokia’s President and CEO to become the company’s Executive Vice President for Devices and Service while the transition takes place. With that, the role of interim CEO now falls on the hands of Risto Siilasmaa, the Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors.
All in all, I’ve got to say that the Nokia have just entered a new era. Whether it’s good or bad, well…guess we will only know once things started to settle down.
[Source: Microsoft]
