Nokia Siemens Seeking Capital

posted Jul 30, 2010, 2:58 PM by Eric M. Zeman

According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Nokia Siemens Networks is talking to buy-out firms in hopes of securing a minimum of $1 billion in cash. The company has been in talks with a handful of firms, including Silver Lake Partners, TPG, Blackstone, Bain Capital and KKR. In exchange for the cash, the firm would gain a minority stake in Nokia Siemens Networks, which is 50% owned by Nokia and 50% owned by Siemens. The Journal notes that such a deal would be complex, due to the split ownership of the firm. The agreement between Nokia and Siemens will keep the joint venture together through 2013. How that contract is handled once it expires has not been decided. Nokia Siemens Networks recently won a bid to acquire some of Motorola's wireless networking assets for $1.2 billion. It made the acquisition as part of an attempt to look like a stronger investment target for buy-out firms. No solid plans have been made, but the Journal reports that Nokia and Siemens are serious about the idea, as they hope to eventually have an initial public offering for NSN. This would allow Nokia, Siemens and the investing firm to regain their equity and step away from the then-public entity.

more info at Wall Street Journal »

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