Canadian handset maker RIM is in negotiations to hire a financial adviser to help it assess its strategic options, according to a Bloomberg report citing various people claiming knowledge of the matter. The company does however not plan to seek buyers,…
Canadian handset maker RIM is in negotiations to hire a financial adviser to help it assess its strategic options, according to a Bloomberg report citing various people claiming knowledge of the matter. The company does however not plan to seek buyers, and would rather licence its operating system. A strategic investment is seen as an alternative to a licensing deal.
RIM is reportedly considering hiring a bank from Canada and an international bank, and the decision to hire at least one bank could come over the next few days.
RIM could also consider extracting more money from its messaging service and patent portfolio, with Microsoft and Samsung among the potential suitors.
One source reportedly stated that Microsoft would be interested in RIM patents if they were put up for sale. But the tech giant would not be looking to make a strategic investment in RIM or make a full acquisition.
Microsoft and RIM declined to comment on the report.
On 29 March, RIM announced that it had made a net loss of US$125m for the quarter up to 3 March.
The company’s CEO Thorsten Heins, who only took on the role in January, said at the time that RIM would start a “comprehensive review of strategic opportunities”.
These opportunities could include partnerships and JVs. Heins also said that RIM could potentially consider a sale, but “it is not the main direction we are pursuing now”.
