The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Nokia, Siemens, TIM Participacoes, Interdigital and Lockheed Martin

CHICAGO, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK), Siemens AG (NYSE:SI), TIM Participacoes SA (NYSE:TSU), Interdigital Inc. (Nasdaq:IDCC) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT).

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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

NSN Inks Network Upgrade Deal

Nokia-Siemens Network ("NSN") a 50-50 joint venture between Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) and Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) was selected by M1, Singapore's second-largest telecom carrier to expand the latter's 3G network. This is second network upgrade deal for NSN within a fortnight after the company was selected by TIM Participacoes SA (NYSE:TSU) to upgrade its existing 2G and 3G networks with a LTE (long Term Evolution) network.

As per the agreement, NSN will implement its award-winning Flexi Multiradio base station, which is a radio access network (RAN) used for 3G and LTE network, along with the Multicontroller RNC and the Liquid Radio software. NSN's Multicontroller RNC (radio network controller) provides operatorswith the flexibility to adjust and reconfigure network according to changes in the subscriber's usage pattern.

On the other hand, the Liquid Radio software adapts to the capacity of the carrier's network and helps it manage unpredictable data traffic demand. Within the Liquid core portfolio, NSN will provide M1 with ATCA-based open Mobile Switching Centre Server (MSS) and Open Media Gateway (MGW), which will allow M1 to improve the operational efficiency of its voice network.  

Additionally, NSN will also provide M1 with a Subscriber Data Management (SDM) system that will be used as a centralized database storage platform. NSN will also provide a lot of support services like network implementation, optimization and hardware/software maintenance.  

Smartphones have been dominating the telecom market for the last couple of years as users tend to use these devices more for data sharing than voice services. Higher proliferation of smartphones has induced customers to download more content via these superfast gadgets.

Telecom carriers around the world are upgrading their network to support the huge data transfer demand. NSN has received several radio contracts worldwide, which reveals the upgrade activity that is currently underway. We believe that this deal strengthens the growing acceptance of NSN's radio products, which has received increased market traction in different parts of the world.

Currently, Nokia carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Among the other companies in the same industry where Nokia operates, Interdigital Inc. (Nasdaq:IDCC), with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), is a better option for the investors.

Lockheed to Build OTEC Plant in China

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) has entered into an agreement with Reignwood Group to develop an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) pilot power plant located off the coast of southern China.

Per the agreement, this offshore plant with an electric generation capacity of 10 megawatt (MW) will be designed by Lockheed Martin. The plant will supply all the power required by a green resort being built by Reignwood Group.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is a process that can produce electricity by using the temperature difference between deep cold ocean water and warm tropical surface waters. This technology is best suited for island and coastal communities where energy transportation costs for other sources of power are very expensive.

Like other renewables, namely, solar and wind, OTEC plants provide clean and sustainable energy. An OTEC facility with an electric generation capacity of 100MW produces equivalent energy that is produced by 1.3 million barrels of oil in a year. the same time it lowers carbon emissions by half a million tons.

When compared to other renewable energy technologies, power from OTEC plants can be produced round the clock 24x7. OTEC is however a highly capital intensive process. Yet, higher electricity costs and increased concerns for global warming have made the use of OTEC attractive in tropical island communities.

Once the Chinese plant comes online, both the parties intend to hone their skills to improve the design of additional commercial-scale plants to be built over the next decade. Going forward, this agreement could build the foundation for the development of several additional OTEC power plants in the range of 10MW to 100MW.

This is not the first time that the largest defense contractor, Lockheed Martin has been involved in an OTEC agreement. Previously, Lockheed Martin tied up with Makai Ocean Engineering for the development of 100MW OTEC plants for island communities in Hawaii and Guam.

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