Nokia denies mobile unit acquisition rumors, remains 'committed to success'

　　Nokia put out a statement today saying how it’s committed to the success of its mobile networks business after Bloomberg published a report saying the Finnish vendor is drawing preliminary interest from suitors including Samsung Electronics for its mobile network assets.

　　Nokia shares rose over 7% on Thursday, trading around $4.48 on the NYSE.

　　“Nokia has nothing to announce in relation to the speculations published in an article today, and no related insider project exists,” the company stated.

　　“Nokia is committed to the success of its Mobile Networks business, a highly strategic asset for both Nokia and its customers,” the vendor said. “The business has made significant progress this year both on right-sizing its cost-base while protecting its product roadmap and winning new deals with new customers and increasing share with existing customers.”

　　In the U.S., Nokia lost business at Verizon to Samsung in recent years and last year, AT&T awarded a $14 billion open Radio Access Network (RAN) contract to Ericsson, snubbing Nokia in the process. AT&T has since stressed that it’s pursuing a “multi-vendor” open RAN strategy, but part of that strategy also involves removing Nokia equipment in markets across the country.

　　Fierce has been hearing rumors since Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February that Nokia might be interested in selling off pieces of its mobile networks business.

　　Citing “people with knowledge of the matter,” Bloomberg reported that Nokia has considered a number of different scenarios, from selling some or all of the division, to spinning it off or combining with a rival.

　　The article said talks are in an early stage, and Nokia may decide not to pursue any transaction. It also said the entire unit could be valued at roughly $10 billion.