Nokia Siemens Networks is reportedly mulling a purchase of Motorola's (NYSE:MOT) telecom network division for slightly more than $1 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. While the WSJ noted that Motorola makes older generation wireless gear that would help NSN upgrade equipment for Motorola's existing customers such as Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) and Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S), the vendor is also proving to be a strong contender in the TD-LTE market, thanks to its experience with WiMAX.
In fact, Motorola has been eying TD-LTE as a key market niche and making inroads with China Mobile, which is keen on deploying TD-LTE on a widespread basis and working with international operators to deploy TD-LTE. NSN has been working with China Mobile too. While Nokia has not been interested in playing in the WiMAX market, it may do just that with a Motorola acquisition, but Motorola is aiming to deliver LTE and WiMAX equipment that can operate on the same platform.
For more:
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
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