Nokia completes bit-side acquisition

THE world’s biggest manufacturer of mobile phones with a significant share in the African market, Nokia, has completed its acquisition of bit-side GmbH, a privately owned Berlin-based professional services and software company.

The company said the acquisition would enhance its mobile development for Nokia Maps.

“Nokia has completed its acquisition of bit-side GmbH, a privately owned Berlin-based professional services and software company with 39 employees. The deal was initially announced on January 27, 2009. By acquiring bit-side Nokia will strengthen and accelerate its mobile development for Nokia Maps,” Nokia said in a statement.
Announcing the proposed acquisation in January, Michael Halbherr, vice president and head of social location, Nokia said, “Acquiring bit-side enables Nokia to offer consumers the world-leading mobile location applications, such as Maps, along with routing and navigation at an accelerated speed. Nokia has been working with bit-side since 2007, and bit-side has become a strategic development partner to Nokia.”
“Nokia believes that context plays a pivotal role in the evolution of the Internet. To make the Internet truly personal, Nokia is building the ability for people to always know where they are and what is around them. Moreover, to know where their friends are and what they are doing and how they are feeling. Nokia calls this social location,” said Michael Halbherr, vice president and head of social location, Nokia.
Bit-side GmbH hailed the move.
“Joining Nokia, the world leader in mobility, is an exciting opportunity for us,” says Our small team has brought many innovative mobile products to life and being part of Nokia will be like a catalyst to this. We share Nokia’s visions, on social and location related services and the future of their enabling technologies,” Thom Brenner, managing director & partner, bit-side GmbH.

Mthulisi Sibanda