Microsoft completes Nokia buy as it aims for Apple and Google

Deal signed off as mobile fightback begins in earnest

Microsoft has confirmed that its purchase of Nokia is now complete as it sets about building its presence in the mobile market. The final price of the deal has risen slightly from the original price of €5.44bn, but the exact figure was not revealed.

The deal was expected to close on Friday and in a statement to V3 Microsoft confirmed this was the case. "We are excited to welcome the Nokia Devices and Services business into Microsoft. We look forward to building on our existing partnership and our deep industry experience to expand our mobile offerings around the world," the statement read.

"Today is an important milestone in the future of Microsoft. The integration work begins today and of course will take some time to complete."

The deal was first announced in September with Microsoft paying €5.44bn for the company. The phone division cost €3.79bn while it will pay €1.65bn to license Nokia's patents for 10 years. The deal also marks the end of the Nokia brand in the phone market, as it is replaced by Microsoft Mobile.

Microsoft will be hoping that bringing its mobile hardware partner in-house helps it accelerate its offering to market and keep pace with rivals, as iOS and Android devices continue to lead the market.

Data from Virgin Media showed that in London 95 percent of all WiFi traffic comes from Apple and Android devices, underlining the scale of the challenge Microsoft faces.

Furthermore, problems with Nokia devices will not do much to inspire user confident. Last week Nokia issued a warning that a charger for the Lumia 2520 tablet was faulty and should not be used. This effectively rendered the device unusable as it could only be charged with this accessory. A video review of the Lumia 2520 tablet is embedded below.