The group beat out Google and others for the patents, which include technology that is expected to be the backbone of wireless networks for the next decade. Under the act, deals involving foreign investors buying a Canadian business with assets worth more than C$312 million are subject to review. Much of Nortel's research and development was done in Ottawa, at a facility formerly known as Bell Northern Research, although the company also had research facilities around the world. Once Canada's technology superstar, Nortel has been selling assets to repay creditors since filing for court protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in January 2009. The patents were the last major technology asset Nortel had left to sell. A joint hearing to approve the sale by the courts in Canada and the United States overseeing the sale of the Nortel assets is scheduled for July 11.