Microsoft and Nokia to discuss sale of Nokia’s mobile unit next week?

Do you know what could easily overshadow the $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype by Microsoft? How about a multi-billion acquisition of none other than the biggest phone maker in the world – Nokia? If we are to believe Russian tech analyst Eldar Murtazin’s inside information, that’s exactly what’s about to happen as talks about the sale of Nokia's mobile unitare to be held next week between the two tech behemoths. What’s more – both Redmond and Espoo are reportedly in a hurry and the deal could close as soon as the end of 2011. For the time being, however, Murtazin notes, everything will remain behind closed doors. As unbelievable as it would have been mere months ago, the deal sounds close to reality after Nokia and Microsoft signed the Windows Phone agreement.

If true, the deal will change not only Nokia, but the mobile landscape from the ground up. It’s still a rumor, but it seems credible as Murtazin is the exact same analyst whoe correctly predicted that Nokia will ditch its Ovi branding two weeks ahead of the event. Currently, Nokia’s market value hovers around the $33 billion mark and it’s the company’s main mobile unit that could be sold. How would this change the mobile industry? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!