14 DAY TRIAL // While the European Commission is expected to give its green light to the Microsoft – Nokia deal, which includes the takeover of the mobile devices and services business of the Finnish company, later this month, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has already approved it.
ZDNet is reporting that the OK has been given on November 2, according to a notification issued by the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition.
Microsoft has already prepared a statement, saying that it’s willing to complete the $7.2 billion (€5.4 billion) deal as soon as possible, with the transaction expected to be finalized in early 2014.
“We look forward to the date when our partners at Nokia will become members of the Microsoft family, and are pleased that the Department of Justice has cleared the deal unconditionally,” a company representative said.
Microsoft officially announced plans to acquire Nokia in September, in an attempt to support its efforts in the mobile market and continue the push to devices and services. As part of the deal, former Nokia boss Stephen Elop also joined Microsoft and is now seen as a leading candidate for the CEO seat of the Redmond giant.