Another milestone achieved. Microsoft is now closer than ever to finalizing its buyout of Nokia’s mobile devices and services unit after getting approval from another important regulatory body.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has green lighted the deal.
Microsoft is still waiting for the European Commission to approve the buyout, which it should, in all probability, received later this month. But as ZDNet is reports, it got the okay on November 2, according to a notification from the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition.
A Redmond representative issued a statement, saying that the company is ready to complete the $7.2 billion buyout as soon as possible:
“We look forward to the date when our partners at Nokia will become members of the Microsoft family, and are pleased that the Department of Justice has cleared the deal unconditionally.”
All signs point to the transaction being finalized early next year.
The plans to acquire Nokia were made public in September, with Microsoft claiming that this is an attempt to heighten its mobile ambitions and support its effort in the mobile market, as it continues to push itself towards a devices and services approach.
Nokia boss Stephen Elop has joined Redmond as part of the deal, and is now said to be one of the candidates to take over the role of Microsoft CEO over from Steve Ballmer.
