It looks as though Microsoft will be betting big on its Xbox division to hopefully take over the living room of millions around the world as the company announced it will be selling its Mediaroom IPTV business to Ericsson.
Microsoft called the acquisition of its Mediaroom IPTV business to Ericsson as “mutually beneficial and strategically aligned for both parties”. The purchase will make Ericsson the leading provider of IPTV as the service is said to power 22 million set-top-boxes within 11 million subscriber households. The deal also allows Microsoft to fully focus on its consumer TV strategy with its Xbox division.
The financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed during today’s announcement with the acquisition expected to complete during the second half of 2013, which is also subject to customary regulatory approvals and other conditions.
The next Xbox is expected to be unveiled some time next month according to recently circulating rumors, although its rumored always-on method of playing games may not be one that potential customers are particularly interested in. Until Microsoft finally unveils the next Xbox, we’ll just have to wait to see how big the company will be going in with it.