Nokia Siemens sells business support systems unit

Nokia Siemens Networks has announced it will offload its business support systems (BSS) unit to Redknee for an undisclosed sum.

The company has divested a number of assets as it refocuses around mobile network equipment.

About 1200 employees that are mainly based in Germany, India and Poland are to be transferred to Redknee, alongside "BSS customer and supplier contracts, intellectual property rights, fixed assets and associated liabilities".

"Until the agreement closes, Nokia Siemens Networks will work to ensure an orderly migration and transfer of the BSS business," the telecommunications firm said in a statement.

"Nokia Siemens Networks would retain a small number of broader customer contracts that include elements of BSS for GSM-R and mobile broadband related mediation."

NSN CEO Rajeev Suri added: "We will work with Redknee to ensure a smooth transfer of the business and to provide some mobile broadband specific elements of the BSS portfolio to our customers."

NSN revealed late last year that it would cut its global workforce by 17,000 and refocus its business around mobile network equipment and services.

Earlier this week, the company offloaded its optical fibre networks business unit to Marlin Equity Partners, which included 1900 employees.

Last year, it divested its microwave business to DragonWave for an estimated $146 million.