Nokia offloads messaging business

Finnish giant Nokia continues to divest of non-core assets with the announcement that it is to offload its operator branded messaging business to Synchronica.

Nokia formed the messaging unit with the acquisition of Oz Communications back in 2008 and has services deployed with around 80 operators worldwide. Synchronica will acquire ten North American mobile operators as customers, servicing more than six million active end users and will add to its portfolio Nokia’s email, IM and social networking gateway and client software and associated patents.

The acquired technology will be merged with Synchronica Mobile Gateway and will cultivate a long-term relationship with Nokia for the continued development, maintenance and support of the messaging gateway and client software that will continue to be shipped with many Nokia feature phones and smartphones. Approximately 250 employees, externals and contractors are anticipated to transfer from Nokia to Synchronica.

Financial details were not revealed but the deal is set to close in the third quarter.