Nokia Siemens Networks has agreed a deal with German labor union IG Metall on the future of its workforce in Munich, which should ensure that around 2,000 NSN jobs will remain in the city. It's not a total reprieve, though, as under the terms of the proposal, the St.-Martin-Strasse site in Munich will still close, with the loss of 1,600 jobs. The deal is conditional, however, on the majority of those who are losing their jobs joining an interim employment company that would try to provide them with support and training for jobs outside NSN. (See NSN Could Stay in Munich, Euronews: Siemens CFO Slams NSN's Job Cuts and NSN to Cut 2,900 Jobs in Germany.)
Nokia and Microsoft are to invest up to €9 million (US$11.8 million) each into a new app development program at Aalto University in Finland. The AppCampus program has been set up primarily to foster the creation of mobile apps for the Windows Phone operating system, though Nokia's Symbian and Series platforms 40 will also still be catered for. (See Microsoft, Nokia Invest €18M in Apps, Nokia Ships First Windows Phone to Europe and Nokia Boss Declares War on Android.)
And on the subject of Free Mobile, Reuters reports that Frank Esser, the CEO of rival French operator SFR , is about to step down, so dramatic has the effect of Free Mobile's arrival on the scene been on SFR's fortunes. This report also cites Le Figaro. (See SFR Sets Femtos Free in France.)