Press release
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Motorola Network Business of the US by Nokia Siemens Networks B.V. of The Netherlands. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) provides mobile and fixed network infrastructure, communications and networks service platforms, as well as professional services to operators and service providers.
Motorola Network Business (MNB) designs, manufactures, sells and installs mobile network systems for mobile service providers.
The Commission assessed the impact of the proposed transaction on the mobile network equipment sector and related services in the EEA.
The Commission's investigation revealed that the parties' product portfolios are largely complementary and that MNB has a limited presence in the EEA. Furthermore, the Commission found that the combined entity would continue to face a number of large and effective competitors. Finally, the markets for mobile network equipment are bidding markets with sophisticated buyers. The Commission therefore concluded that the concentration will not give rise to any competition concerns.
The transaction did not meet the thresholds of the Merger Regulation, but was referred to the Commission for review following a request from the merging parties.
The transaction was notified to the Commission on 11 November 2010. More information on the case is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=2_M_6007
