Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) reached a multi- year deal with WiLAN under which the former receives a license to a portfolio of WiLAN’s wireless technology patents. Nokia Networks already uses WiLAN’s patented wireless technology in a number of infrastructure products like production and marketing of wireless handset products.
Nokia-WiLAN double deal
The patents that come within the ambit of the deal are CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, HSPA and 4G/LTE wireless technologies. Apart from this both the companies entered into another deal by which WiLAN is entitled to several of Nokia Network patents that are related to its existing and upcoming wireless technologies.
WiLAN CEO Jim Skippen said in a statement, “We are very pleased to have negotiated this license with Nokia Networks. It underscores the value of the technologies that we have added to our portfolio of wireless products.”
Skippen said that Nokia has been active in the development and commercialization of the wireless communication technology for over decades. The CEO added that the acquired patents will boost company’s portfolio and will be helpful in signing future license.
Apple WiLAN in fight over patents
Founded in 1992, WiLAN is one of the leading technology innovation and licensing company. Its patented technology is used by more than 280 companies globally. WiLAN is, also, the party in the long legal dispute with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) over formers U.S. patents. The court hearing started in September 2011, and the jury decided in favor of Apple initially. However, in April this year, a U.S. Appeals Court ruled that Jury had no basis to rule against WiLAN. The wireless technology firm has re-appealed in the U.S. Federal court.
Both Nokia and WiLAN entered into an agreement in December 2006 on sharing licensing of WiLAN patents.
Nokia powering Networks
To boost its Network planning, Nokia, recently, acquired 3D geolocation technology from an Israeli-based security and surveillance company NICE Systems. With 3D geolocation solutions, the Finnish company is looking forward to bolstering its mobile network performance and traffic trends using three-dimensional modeling. Also, the increased use of internet will allow the network operators to enhance the rollout of small cell sites across different locations. Operators can get their hands on important data for the network planning and managing traffic movements. Other purchases made by Nokia recently are SAC Wireless and Seattle-based Medio Systems.
