Nokia beats estimates and returns cash, Alcatel deal on track

By Jussi Rosendahl and Leila Abboud HELSINKI/PARIS (Reuters) – Finnish network equipment maker Nokia reported stronger-than-expected quarterly profits as growth in China offset weaker demand in other key markets, and said it would return money to shareholders after acquiring Alcatel-Lucent . The tie-up will vault the new company into a stronger position to compete with Sweden's Ericsson and low-cost Chinese player Huawei [HWT.UL], in a market for telecom network gear where little growth and tough competition are pressing down prices

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BlackBerry devices future rides on fortunes of new Android phone: CEO

By Euan Rocha WATERLOO, Ontario (Reuters) – BlackBerry Ltd’s decision to roll out a smartphone powered by Google’s Android platform was hotly debated internally but the gamble is necessary to test whether the company’s handset business is viable, Chief Executive John Chen said on Friday. Waterloo, Ontario-based BlackBerry confirmed it planned to introduce an Android smartphone later this year, even as it also reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results.

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