EU Approves $2.3 billion Takeover of Infinera by Nokia

New Nokia's logo is displayed before GSMA's 2023 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 26, 2023. REUTERS/ Albert Gea/File Photo
New Nokia's logo is displayed before GSMA's 2023 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 26, 2023. REUTERS/ Albert Gea/File Photo
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EU Approves $2.3 billion Takeover of Infinera by Nokia

New Nokia's logo is displayed before GSMA's 2023 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 26, 2023. REUTERS/ Albert Gea/File Photo
New Nokia's logo is displayed before GSMA's 2023 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 26, 2023. REUTERS/ Albert Gea/File Photo

The EU Commission on Wednesday said it had unconditionally approved the $2.3 billion acquisition of US optical semiconductors and networking equipment maker Infinera by Nokia.

The commission said the takeover raised no concerns, as the companies' combined market share in the supply of optical transport equipment would be moderate and would still face credible competition.

Reuters already reported earlier this month that Nokia was set for the unconditional approval for the deal, which it announced in June last year.

The acquisition will make it the second-largest vendor in the optical networking market with a 20% share, behind Huawei, which is benefiting from the minimal presence of Western companies in China.

The acquisition will allow Nokia to sell more equipment to big tech companies such as Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft, which are investing billions of dollars in building new data centres to service the artificial intelligence boom.



Samsung Elec Appoints Mobile Chief as Interim Head of Consumer and Mobile Division

Roh Tae-moon, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics speaks during his keynote address as Samsung Electronics unveils its latest flagship smartphones in San Francisco, California, US, February 1, 2023. (Reuters)
Roh Tae-moon, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics speaks during his keynote address as Samsung Electronics unveils its latest flagship smartphones in San Francisco, California, US, February 1, 2023. (Reuters)
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Samsung Elec Appoints Mobile Chief as Interim Head of Consumer and Mobile Division

Roh Tae-moon, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics speaks during his keynote address as Samsung Electronics unveils its latest flagship smartphones in San Francisco, California, US, February 1, 2023. (Reuters)
Roh Tae-moon, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics speaks during his keynote address as Samsung Electronics unveils its latest flagship smartphones in San Francisco, California, US, February 1, 2023. (Reuters)

Samsung Electronics appointed on Tuesday its mobile chief Roh Tae-moon as acting head of the company's consumer and mobiles business, following the death of his predecessor, Han Jong-Hee, a week ago.

"Samsung Electronics plans to minimize the leadership vacuum in the DX Division through this executive reshuffle, and make every effort to strengthen global competitiveness and ensure thorough preparation for the future," Samsung said in a statement.

Roh, 56, has been in charge of the company's mobile business since 2020. Samsung said in March Roh has been "spearheading new smartphone markets" with AI phones and foldable phones as growth is slowing and competition is intensifying.

Roh will oversee the so-called DX division, which includes TVs, home appliances and smartphone businesses.

The death of Han, 63, who was in charge of its consumer electronics and mobile devices division, left newly-appointed boss Jun Young-hyun solely in charge of the South Korean tech giant as it revamps its underperforming chip business and navigates rising competition and trade uncertainties.

Samsung said the company's board of directors will decide on a new CEO later, and a spokesperson said that "nothing has been decided whether or not to keep the previous co-CEO structure at the moment."