Buyout of BlackBerry
Samsung and Google were cited as contenders for the takeover of BlackBerry.
US-based business news broadcaster CNBC reported on October 4 (local time) that the Canadian smartphone maker is asking Samsung and Google about their interest in buying all or parts of itself, and requesting notification of their decision by early next week, according to industry sources. BlackBerry was reported to have already contacted LG, Intel Corp, Cisco Systems, and SAP.
The company in question accounted for 53% of the US market in the first quarter of 2009, and became a byword for cell phones. However, it has been in decline since then, taking a backseat to Samsung and Apple. In the second quarter of 2013, BlackBerry only made up 2.9% of the global market, and its sales in Q3 amounted to US$1.57 billion (1.6814 trillion won), a year-on-year decrease of 45%. Its losses in the third quarter totaled US$965 million (1.335 trillion won).
CNBC said that potential buyers are considering a split acquisition of BlackBerry’s secure server network and patent portfolio. According to industry sources, the company’s security-focused messaging system is worth US$3 billion to US$4.5 billion, and patents at US$2-3 billion.