NEC, Hitachi & Casio in talks to merge handset divisions by April’10 (Japan)

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: NEC, Hitachi and Casio, the Japanese handset manufacturers are reportedly in talks to for a merger of their mobile phone operators in order top create nation’s second largest handset firm after Sharp.
According to the media reports, the three firms have confirmed the that they are in talks over merging their handset divisions by April 2010 in which NEC will hold the major ownership stake. The merger will hold nearly 20% of the Japanese handset market.
The merger talks have come when the Japanese market is facing saturation, bringing down the profitability of mobile handset manufacturer. Several companies, including Sharp, have sought to boost growth by charging into emerging markets like China.