Nokia Siemens Networks: So we lost the bid for Nortel’s wireless unit, can we get their fiber optic stuff?

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) Siemens Networks (NSN) disappointingly lost the auction for Nortel’s wireless unit. Those assets would have given them a strong upper hand in the LTE patent space, but more importantly it would have given them a chance to get some business on the other side of the pond. No use in crying over spilled milk however, what about buying another portion of Nortel? Bidding for Nortel’s optical networking unit is open for a few more days, until November 9th, and then an auction is set to take place on November 13th. Not only would this give NSN competencies in building next generation fiber networks, but it could turn them into a backhaul provider as well. Connecting a cell tower to the internet via microwaves works today, and is fairly cheap, but it isn’t going to handle the next generation of demand. Fiber to the cell tower however, now that’s something special. The bid may cost over $400 million, and it would be a slap in the face to the 5000 people that are going to be fired early next year.

[Via: Wall Street Journal]