If you’ve been wondering when exactly Microsoft expected to finalize its deal with Nokia, the companies have you covered. Microsoft revealed today that it expects to close the deal in April 2014.
“We are nearing the final stages of our global regulatory approval process – to date we have received approvals from regulatory authorities in 15 markets on five continents,” the company said in a press release. “Currently, we are awaiting approval confirmation in the final markets. This work has been progressing, and we expect to close next month, in April 2014.”
Accelerating “innovation and market adoption” for Windows Phone
Microsoft believes the completion of the Nokia Devices and Services division of Nokia will accelerate the company’s “mobile-first, cloud first imperatives” as well as “innovation and market adoption for Windows Phones” while introducing “the next billion customers to Microsoft services via Nokia mobile phones.”
Nokia reiterated Microsoft’s expectations for the close date in its own press release. The company has been dealing with some tax issues in India (as have IBM and others in the past), which some think may lead to a key manufacturing center not being part of the deal. However, Nokia says 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 the two companies.