Microsoft tweaks Nokia deal ahead of Friday close

Rumours circulating that mobile giant will be rebranded as Microsoft Mobile

Microsoft has fine-tuned its Nokia acquisition as it prepares to seal the deal at the end of the week, in a move which is rumoured will see the unit renamed Microsoft Mobile.

The software giant announced its €5.4bn (£4.57bn) takeover of Nokia's Devices and Services arm last September and it is finally expected to close this Friday (25 April).

In the meantime, the duo has made a series of changes to the initial terms of the deal.

Originally, the particulars stated that all staff at Nokia's Chief Technology Office would continue to work for the Finnish firm, but now 21 employees at the Chinese facility – who focus on mobile phones – will join Microsoft.

Contrary to the initial terms, Nokia's Korean manufacturing arm will no longer be acquired by Microsoft and on top of this, as of Friday, Microsoft will manage Nokia's websites and social media pages – something the original contract did not address.

As Microsoft unveiled the changes in an official blog post, reports surfaced claiming the Nokia name would be canned in favour of the Microsoft Mobile moniker.

According to a Nokia user site, a leaked memo said: "Upon the close of the transaction between Microsoft and Nokia, the name of Nokia Corporation/Nokia Oyj will change to Microsoft Mobile Oy. Microsoft Mobile Oy is the legal entity name that should be used for VAT IDs and for the issuance of invoices."

Microsoft did not address the rebrand claims on its blog but its general counsel Brad Smith said the takeover would bolster its place in the mobile market.

"This acquisition will help Microsoft accelerate innovation and market adoption for Windows Phones," he said. "In addition, we look forward to introducing the next billion customers to Microsoft services via Nokia mobile phones."