Microsoft finds a way to use their overseas cash, buys Nokia’s cell phone business
Microsoft and Nokia affirmed late Monday that Microsoft will pay €3.79 billion to buy "substantially all" of Nokia’s cell phone business, which includes its smartphone operations. According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft will also pay €1.65 billion to license Nokia's substantial patents, bringing the deal to €5.44 billion, or $7.18 billion...less than they paid for Skype!
Though unreported for now, we should anticipate increased defense of Nokia’s IP. They own over 10,000 patents, many in the critical LTE wireless area, and they have over 40 licensing deals already in place. Apple and Blackberry are already licensees; with Microsoft money behind them, Nokia will undoubtedly be taking a close look at the Android players.