It's been more than nine long months, but at long last Googorola now has permission to land.
Google
The last regulatory seal of approval that was needed was China, whose Anti-Monopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce cleared the transaction over the weekend. The regulators also required that the search giant keep Android free and open for at least five years, after which the Ministry of Commerce will "continue to assess the state of the Chinese smartphone operating system market."
Many local OEM players are riding Android's success, including names like ZTE and Huawei. Android's market share in the country in the fourth quarter was north of 68%, according to Beijing-based Analysys International.
Motorola has been awaiting this day, locked and loaded to seal the deal, and expects to close the transaction within two business days.
Now the real test will begin, as Google faces a dilemma over what to do with its shiny new flailing smartphone business. Will it pursue an integrated strategy like Apple
Remember that Motorola Mobility was spun off from its parent Motorola Solutions
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