[November 12, 2009] Motorola mulls over selling set-top box unit Tweet (M&A Navigator Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) US mobile phone maker Motorola (NYSE:MOT) is exploring the sale of its set-top box unit, seeking to raise between USD4bn (EUR2.7bn) and USD5bn, the Wall Street Journal reported today, citing sources in the know. Reportedly, private equity firms TPG and Silver Lake Partners are interested in buying the unit, which makes television set-top boxes and networking gear. Motorola did not comment on the report but told the Journal it was still sticking to its long-term strategy to spin off its mobile phone business in a move to combat plunging sales. The set-top box division generated sales of USD10.1bn in 2008. According to the Journal, South Korea's Samsung Electronics (SEO:005935), China's Huawei Technologies, Swedish LM Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and UK Pace (LON:PIC) might be also among the potential buyers. Country: USA Sector: Telecommunications Target: Set-top box unit of Motorola Inc Buyer: TPG Capital LP; Silver Lake Partners LP; Samsung Electronics Co Ltd; Huawei Technologies Co Ltd; Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson; Pace plc Vendor: Motorola Inc Deal size in USD: 4bn-5bn Type: LBO; Divestment Status: Speculation; Auction ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]