Connect with us

Telecom

Nokia, LG Agree to Smartphone Patent Licensing Deal

Published

on

nokia buys.jpg
Kindly share this post

Nokia Technologies and LG have agreed to a smartphone patent licensing agreement, the companies announced on Tuesday. Under the terms of the deal, LG will pay royalties to Nokia for use of its patents on mobile communications.

The companies didn’t say exactly what patent technologies LG has licensed from Nokia.

With the deal, LG has become the first company to join Nokia’s mobile licensing program since the company sold its devices and services business to Microsoft for $7.2 billion. Nokia has approximately 30,000 patents.

Those patents relate to 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile communications technologies, and are licensed by over 60 companies.

The deal highlights the importance Nokia still plays in the smartphone space. While the company no longer produces devices, its patent portfolio is broad and for some companies, a required resource, in order for them to build products.

The deal also suggests Nokia is now a critical behind-the-scenes player in how smartphones operate.

When Nokia sold its smartphone business to Microsoft in 2014, the software giant agreed to pay $2.2 billion for access to Nokia’s patent portfolio.

The deal was important for Microsoft, as it looked to build out its smartphone business with help from Nokia’s technology, and crucial to Nokia as it looked beyond building handsets for its future.

Indeed, Nokia’s patent portfolio is one of the most heralded in the mobile business, due in large part to its size and depth of technologies. It includes everything from major mobile features, including how devices connect to 4G networks, to the design of mobile phones.

The depth of Nokia’s patent portfolio and the fact that the company would no longer sell smartphones became a cause for concern among regulators in the European Union in 2013. The euro zone’s competition commissioner at the time, Joaquin Almunia, said that he hoped Nokia wouldn’t “behave like a patent troll, or to use a more polite phrase, a patent assertion entity.”

“Patent troll” has become a putdown for companies that don’t build products, but use patents to make money off other companies’ inventions. Almunia was concerned that Nokia would attempt to leverage its patent portfolio to capitalize on the smartphone market and launch frivolous lawsuits.

His concerns turned out to be unfounded: the company has largely focused its efforts on its core businesses of mapping technology and mobile networks. Its patent-licensing program has remained static.

The LG deal, like another Nokia signed nearly two years ago with Samsung, includes an arbitration clause, meaning LG and Nokia could not come to terms on the cost of the patent royalties and will now seek arbitration to determine a proper royalty rate.

The companies didn’t say why they couldn’t come to an agreement, but acknowledged that the arbitration could take one to two years to complete. In the meantime, LG will have the right to use Nokia’s technologies.

“We are pleased to welcome LG Electronics to our licensing program,” Ramzi Haidamus, president of Nokia Technologies, said in a statement. “We’ve worked constructively with LG Electronics and agreed to a mutually beneficial approach, including the use of independent arbitration to resolve any differences. This agreement sets the scene for further collaboration between our companies in future.”


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Telecom

MoMo PSB Brings Relief to UNILAG Students with Ultra-Cheap Bus Fares

Published

on

Kindly share this post

MoMo Payment Service Bank (MoMo PSB), a fintech subsidiary of MTN Nigeria, has announced a partnership with Ogata Electric Vehicles to provide subsidised bus rides of ₦10 per fare to students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

MoMo PSB Brings Relief to UNILAG Students with Ultra-Cheap Bus Fares

MoMo PSB

The initiative, unveiled on Thursday in Lagos, is aimed at easing transportation costs for young Nigerians, particularly students, as part of MoMo PSB’s broader commitment to financial inclusion and digital accessibility.

MoMo PSB, which provides millions of Nigerians with secure financial services including transfers, savings, card services, bill payments and wallet solutions, said the transport subsidy reflects its mission to improve everyday life by reducing the cost of essential services.

The company explained that the partnership with Ogata Electric Vehicles would not only make commuting more affordable for students but also promote sustainable mobility through the use of electric buses.

Officials of MoMo PSB noted that the initiative is designed to bring “good cheer” to the UNILAG community, ensuring students can access safe, reliable and cost-effective transport while focusing on their education.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

MTN Nigeria Launches Unlimited 5G Broadband Plans to Boost Digital Inclusion

Published

on

Kindly share this post

MTN Nigeria has launched its Unlimited Broadband Data plans powered by 5G technology, a move the telecoms giant says will tackle long-standing challenges of capped data limits, high costs and unstable connectivity faced by internet users across the country.

MTN Nigeria Launches Unlimited 5G Broadband Plans to Boost Digital Inclusion

MTN Nigeria

Egerton Idehen, Chief Broadband Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the new product was designed to support high-demand users including streamers, gamers, households and businesses requiring uninterrupted connectivity.

“We’re building a broadband experience for everyday life. For content creators, remote workers, gamers, students and households. Our focus is on speed, reliability, low latency, and affordability.

“Broadband is designed to deliver seamless connectivity that empowers Nigerians to thrive in the digital economy,” Idehen said.

The plans, available in speed-based variants of 50Mbps and 100Mbps, promise lightning-fast speeds and ultra-low latency to address issues of lag and buffering. MTN said the packages would also provide affordable and flexible options to cater to diverse economic segments.

New customers who purchase a 5G router will enjoy a welcome bonus of unlimited data for the first 30 days, allowing them to experience the service before committing to long-term use.

The company explained that the initiative was part of its broader commitment to digital inclusion, enabling Nigerians to access stable connections for virtual meetings, large file transfers, online learning, high-definition streaming and professional gaming.

Customers can subscribe to the Unlimited Broadband Plans by dialling 4611#, using the MyMTN app, MTN eShop, MTN website, or visiting authorised retail outlets nationwide.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Airtel Africa Foundation Opens Undergraduate Scholarship Portal in Nigeria

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The Airtel Africa Foundation has opened applications for its Undergraduate Tech Scholarship in Nigeria, inviting first-year university students with strong academic potential to apply for financial support aimed at accelerating their studies in technology and related fields.

The scheme provides full tuition, accommodation support, and essential study materials for eligible 100-level students. It forms part of the Foundation’s F.E.E.D. agenda, which promotes Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion, with a focus on creating pathways for talented young people who face financial barriers.

Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity. He noted that, “Education is one of the most powerful tools for national development,” adding that “as an organisation, Airtel is determined to build a platform for aspiring young Nigerians to learn, innovate and lead in the country’s expanding technology landscape.”

Applications are open to students pursuing courses such as Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and other ICT-related disciplines at participating universities: University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Benin, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, and Tai Solarin University of Education.

Dr Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, said the scholarship demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to nurturing Africa’s next generation of digital leaders. “Young Africans are brimming with talent and ambition. What many need is a fair chance to pursue their education without financial pressure. This scholarship reflects our belief that investing in their growth will strengthen communities, empower families, and expand the continent’s digital future,” he said.

Applicants must be enrolled in 100-level, have scored at least 230 in JAMB, and hold a minimum of five credits in WAEC, including English and Mathematics, in a single sitting. Required documents include Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results, university admission letter, West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate, student identity card, and academic transcript or university results.

The Foundation encourages qualified students across the listed institutions to apply and position themselves for a stronger start in the technology sector. Applications can be submitted at candidate.scholastica.ng/schemes/airtelfellowship2025.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending