The US Department of Justice on Monday approved Microsoft’s $7 billion purchase of Nokia’s handset unit, removing a major obstacle to the transaction.
The decision, announced by the Federal Trade Commission, means that the deal will be finalised as soon as European Commission regulators add their approval, which is expected.
Microsoft announced the deal in September, including the rights to Nokia patents as well its smartphone products which are the main implementation of Microsoft’s Window’s phone software. About 32,000 Nokia employees are expected to join Microsoft. Nokia shareholders approved the deal last month.
“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,” Microsoft said in a statement.