nokiaman
10-11-2003, 10:45 AM
Reported on sunday that Nokia, the world's top mobile handset maker, is considering a takeover of UK firm Psion in a bid to dominate the multibillion-dollar cellphone software market and fend off Microsoft, the Business has reported.
Finland-based Nokia and the British company are already partners in Symbian, which makes software used in mobile phones. Nokia currently owns 32 percent of Symbian and Psion has 31 percent.
A takeover of Psion would give Nokia control over Symbian and help it head off growing competition in cellphone software from Microsoft, the world's largest software company.
"There are clear signs coming out of Nokia that it is planning to make a move on Psion," the newspaper quoted an unnamed industry source with knowledge of Nokia's plans as saying.
It added that any offer would have to be pitched at a substantial premium to Psion's current market value of more than 300 million pounds, and could price it at well above 400 million pounds.
Finland-based Nokia and the British company are already partners in Symbian, which makes software used in mobile phones. Nokia currently owns 32 percent of Symbian and Psion has 31 percent.
A takeover of Psion would give Nokia control over Symbian and help it head off growing competition in cellphone software from Microsoft, the world's largest software company.
"There are clear signs coming out of Nokia that it is planning to make a move on Psion," the newspaper quoted an unnamed industry source with knowledge of Nokia's plans as saying.
It added that any offer would have to be pitched at a substantial premium to Psion's current market value of more than 300 million pounds, and could price it at well above 400 million pounds.