Nokia Siemens offloads R&D center

Nokia Siemens Networks is finalizing plans to sell its development center in Herentals, Belgium to Devoteam Group. Both companies expect the deal to be signed by the end of the month.
As part of the deal, Nokia Siemens Networks will transfer all development activities in Herentals, with the exception of Open Transport Network, to Devoteam Group. The deal includes the transfer of about 160 employees.
Nokia Siemens Networks says the transfer plays into its strategy of relying on business partners for research and development so that it can focus on building a competitive business model.
“Nokia and Siemens, the parent companies of Nokia Siemens Networks, have successfully partnered with Devoteam Group over recent years,” said Mika Vehvilainen, COO of the joint venture. “This agreement is good for Devoteam Group and for the employees of Nokia Siemens Networks. It gives Nokia Siemens Networks additional flexibility and transfers people to a strong partner where their competencies will be a natural fit.”
Nokia Siemens Networks said it is honing its research and development activities to enhance efficiency and support operations in new growth markets like China and India.
The deal includes the development center’s current research and development activities in the service core and applications business unit, operations and business software business unit and in the research, technology and platforms unit.