Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin is hinting via Twitter that Microsoft has agreed to buy Nokia’s mobile phone division for US$19 billion. One small software company decided last week that they could spent 19 bln USD to buy a part of small phone vendor. Thats it. A few weeks ago, Murtazin first revealed that the two companies had begun negotiations over […]
Mergers and acquisitions
Sprint asks FCC to block T-Mobile USA acquisition by AT&T
After publicly stating its opposition to the deal back in March, Sprint today announced that it has formally asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block AT&T’s proposed T-Mobile USA acquisition. It believes that “the acquisition has no public interest benefit.” It would also result in “the Twin Bell duopolists of AT&T and Verizon” being able to stifle innovation and […]
Twitter acquires TweetDeck
TweetDeck announced today that it had been acquired by Twitter after several weeks of such rumours. The deal was completed yesterday and sources estimate it at over US$40 million in cash and stock. According to Iain Dodsworth, TweetDeck Founder and CEO: The past three years have been an epic journey, with many highs and lows, accompanied by the constant thrill […]
AT&T faces US$6 billion break-up fee in T-Mobile USA merger
If the merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA does not go through, AT&T could be on the cook for up to US$6 billion in break-up fees. Citing “sources familiar with the matter,” Reuters indicates that this includes US$3 billion in cash, another US$2 billion worth of spectrum and a roaming agreement valued at US$1 billion. The break-up fee amounts to […]
Microsoft acquires Skype
Skype today announced that it is being bought out by Microsoft in a deal worth US$8.5 billion. Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft, and Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Microsoft Skype Division, reporting directly to Ballmer. “Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the […]
RIM acquires Tungle.me calendar scheduling service
Research In Motion today announced that it had acquired Tungle, a provider of cloud-based calendar and scheduling services. According to RIM’s Tom Goguen, VP, Collaboration and Social Networking: BlackBerry is a fantastic solution for connecting users to the people and information that matter most throughout their day. By working with Tungle to add cloud-based, cross-platform calendar capabilities to the BlackBerry […]
Sprint opposes AT&T-T-Mobile merger
This one should come as no surprise. Sprint yesterday announced that it was opposed to AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile USA. “Sprint urges the United States government to block this anti-competitive acquisition,” said Vonya McCann, senior vice president, Government Affairs. “This transaction will harm consumers and harm competition at a time when this country can least afford it. As the first […]
AT&T to buy T-Mobile USA for US$39 billion
AT&T and Deutsche Telekom AG today announced that AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a transaction worth US$39 billion (about US$25 billion in cash and the balance in AT&T common stock). Both Boards of Directors have approved the transaction but the deal still needs to go through the usual regulatory approvals. The deal is expected to take […]