Nokia, Sanyo Intend To Form Global CDMA Mobile Phone Operations"

STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- Nokia and SANYO Tuesday unveiled a preliminary agreement with the intent to form a new global company comprised of their respective CDMA mobile phones businesses, separate from the parent companies.

The new entity will have major operations in San Diego, in the U.S. as well as Osaka and Tottori, in Japan, Nokia said.

The relevant assets from both companies will be contributed or made available for the new entity.

Final agreements are expected to be signed in the second quarter of 2006, with the new business expected to commence operations in the third quarter 2006, provided that the due diligence has been completed and all necessary regulatory approvals obtained, Nokia said.

It is expected that the new company will benefit by combining both parties' CDMA businesses to achieve a leading position within the global CDMA mobile phones market, Nokia said.

Nokia said it will bring to the resulting entity the strength of its world-renowned brand, demand supply expertise, a solid entry-level and mid-range CDMA mobile phones product portfolio and well-established relations with over 60 CDMA carrier customers around the globe.

Sanyo has a leadership position in mid-range and high-end CDMA handsets and maintains strong relationships with CDMA operators in Japan and North America, Nokia said.

"We identified this new entity as the best way to create an attractive CDMA phone portfolio for our customers with the widest possible product offering at the high-end, mid-range and entry levels," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, president and chief operations officer of Nokia.

"We estimate that the creation of this separate, associated company will provide Nokia with financial benefits from start. It also offers both parties timely access to R&D competencies that complement their own internal strategies," he said.

Sanyo President, Toshimasa Iue said, "In addition to making possible the supply of even better products to our current customers, this new company will also lead to raising our position in the global market."

"I'm confident that integrating Nokia's strong brand with Sanyo's ability to meet the markets needs will lead to the building of a very strong partnership in the CDMA industry," he said.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 14th February 2006