Yaesu's new owner may opt-out of cellphone business

Motorola says that it is considering separating its loss-making mobile phone unit.

The world's third-largest mobile phone maker has been losing market share to market leader Nokia Corp and Samsung Electronics. It now says that is looking at a structural and strategic realignment to help it recapture market share and enhance shareholder value. Options include spinning-off or selling the phone division, which accounts for about half of revenue.

Motorola is best known for its commercial two-way land mobile radio equipment. The company recently completed a deal to acquire control of Vertex Standard Corporation which manufactures its own line of two-way land mobile equipment and Yaesu brand Amateur Radio gear. It also manufacturers television set-top box and network equipment.

Potential suitors for it mobile telephone division are believed to include rivals such as Samsung Electronics, which took the number two sales position from Motorola in 2007, or number five ranked LG Electronics.

Contrary to the rumors being circulated by uninformed Internet bloggers and web rumor mongers, any sale of Motorola's mobile phone business is not expected to in any way impact on the manufacture and sales of Yaesu brand ham radio gear.

Source: ARNewsline™