Nokia sells off messaging unit to Synchronica

Nokia Corp. (NOK) continues to shed business interests as it shifts its strategy on many fronts. The latest to go is the company’s operator-branded messaging business, which gave carriers in North America the opportunity to sell white label email and instant messaging services to their customers.
Reports peg the sale price around $25 million, though terms were not disclosed in the announcement. Through the acquisition, Synchronica gains 10 carrier contracts in North America, including all four of the top U.S. carriers. More than 6 million users are actively user the email and/or IM service.
The deal will also see 250 employees transferred from Nokia to Synchronica. Once the deal closes, Synchronica plans to merge its mobile gateway messaging infrastructure with the new assets to bring new functions to its offering.