ESPOO, Finland -- Nokia and Siemens announced today that Nokia Siemens Networks will start operations on April 1, 2007. Nokia and Siemens are contributing their respective carrier networks businesses and corresponding assets into this new 50:50 company. Both parties have agreed to increase their respective net asset contributions to the new company, with Siemens to contribute EUR 2.4 billion and Nokia to contribute EUR 1.7 billion. With its global scale and size, Nokia Siemens Networks is in a great position to play an industry leading role by developing innovative, cost-efficient products and services. Nokia Siemens Networks will have one of the world's best R&D teams, who will advance the development of product platforms and services for next-generation fixed and mobile networks.
"In the consolidating telecommunications market Nokia Siemens Networks will offer customers cost-saving, leading-edge solutions that will also optimally meet their needs with regards to convergence," said Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo.
This view is shared by Klaus Kleinfeld, President and CEO of Siemens AG. "With the launch of Nokia Siemens Networks, a strong leader with excellent growth potential is entering the top league of the telecommunications market. In taking this step, we are dramatically strengthening our market position and creating sustainable value."
Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK)
Siemens AG (NYSE: SI; Frankfurt: SIE)