Moto plans moving to California

Motorola's mobile division is likely to move from Chicago to California to be closer to Silicon Valley, after the business splits into two seperate divisions next year.

In 2011, its mobile handsets and set-top boxes are to be combined into one separate division, headed by co-chief executive Sanjay Jha, while co-chief executive Greg Brown will head Motorola's wireless networking business and its enterprise radio systems operations.

Motorola announced its plans to divide its operations earlier this month. A Motorola spokesperson said of the head office relocation: "We have not announced plans to relocate and we will continue to have a meaningful presence in Chicago."

Meanwhile, Motorola president for home and network mobility Dan Moloney is leaving the business in March to head up a small electronic-parts manufacturer.