Nokia Siemens to sell WiMax division

Hundreds of employees working for Nokia Siemens Networks in Arlington Heights will soon be working for NewNet Communication Technologies, LLC.

NewNet, a small privately held firm, on Tuesday agreed to buy the WiMAX wireless network business that once belonged to Motorola.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it does involve transferring all of WiMAX’s 300 employees, who have been working at the former Motorola complex in Arlington Heights, to NewNet, said Kathy Wiesner, media relations and industry analyst for Nokia.

NewNet currently has an office in Arlington Heights. The deal is expected to be finalized by Dec. 31.

Since NewNet is purchasing WiMAX in its entirety, no employees will be let go, but working for a new employer, Wiesner said.

“NewNet’s acquisition history exhibits a strong motivation to grow and develop the businesses they acquire,” Wiesner said. “Employees transitioning to NewNet are critical for the future success of WiMAX.”

Although a majority of the 300 employees have been based in Arlington Heights, WiMAX also employs several people in China and other international locations.

“We believe that our current WiMAX customers would receive the highest quality products, services and sales support from NewNet,” said Marc Rouanne, head of Network Systems, Nokia Siemens Networks in a news release. “This transaction would also provide an excellent opportunity for our WiMAX employees.”

Nokia Siemens, a joint venture of Nokia Corp. and Siemens AG, bought Motorola’s wireless network division in April for more than $1 billion. WiMAX, a wireless broadband technology, represents a small part of that acquisition.