Sevana: One merger moves forward as another hits a snag … 5 things to know today

Monday, October 19, 2015

One merger moves forward as another hits a snag … 5 things to know today

1. Nokia appears to have cleared the last major hurdle in its $17.6 billion purchase of Alcatel-Lucent. Today China’s Ministry of Commerce gave conditional approval to the merger, which has already been approved in the U.S. and Europe. China gave Nokia a to-do list of items related to standards and patents, and said it will approve the deal if Nokia complies by December 10.

Once combined, Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent will have four major portfolios:

mobile networks, fixed networks, applications and analytics, and IP/optical networks. Alcatel-Lucent brings the expertise in fixed and optical networks.

2. Smartphone antenna maker Skyworks Solutions (SWKS) has hit a possible roadblock in its bid to buy PMC-Sierra (PMCS). California’s Microsemi Corporation (MSCC) has come in with a higher bid. Microsemi’s bid values PMC at more than $2 billion, but it’s a cash and stock deal. Skyworks is offering $2 billion in cash.

3. Apple has been ordered to pay the University of Wisconsin $234 million for infringing a patent that increases smartphone processor efficiency. The technology is used in Apple’s custom A7, A8 and A8X chips that power recent models of the iPhone and iPad. The jury could have fined Apple as much as $862 million. Apple plans to appeal the verdict.

4. Google is trying to take mobile market share from Microsoft in the enterprise. The company is offering free access to Apps for Work, its competitor to Microsoft’s dominant workplace software, Office 365 Commercial. Google is offering Apps for Work for free to companies currently under contract with other office software providers.

5. Ericsson is partnering with America Móvil to test 5G in Brazil. Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg said his company wants to understand how 5G technologies will be used by both society and industry, and that this partnership will help Ericsson be ready with commercial 5G systems by 2020. Ericsson and America Móvil will embark on 5G research projects with the University of São Paulo, University of Campinas and Federal University of Ceará.

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