A global network in the making: Nokia and Siemens teaming up for mobile web of data

In the ever expanding telecommunications industry, rife with new acquisitions, joint ventures and mergers, the recently formed Nokia Siemens Network has ventured into the fray to connect a projected 5 billion people by 2015. The Nokia Siemens Network (NSN), a 50-50 joint venture (JV) between the two European  telecommunications’ powerhouses that was pending agreement since last June, has a top three global position in the industry, valued at $31.6 billion. The network was only launched in April this year, delayed due to Nokia’s concerns over bribery investigations at Siemens that had led to the arrest of several former Siemens employees, including Thomas Ganswindt, former head of the German company’s telecommunications equipment division. Based in Helsinki, Finland, NSN’s chairman for the Middle East and Africa, Dr. Walid Moneimne, said the motivation behind the JV was to consolidate the two companies’ research and development teams, and become the world’s No.1 communications enabler.