Nokia

Corporate brand

Finnish multinational telecommunications and information technology company focused on network infrastructure, communications technology, patents, and licensing.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Nokia is a Finnish multinational telecommunications and information technology company headquartered in Espoo. Its origins reach back to 1865, when mining engineer Fredrik Idestam established a wood-pulp mill in the Tampere region. The business later took the Nokia name from a second mill near the town of Nokia and gradually expanded beyond paper production into electricity, rubber, cables, electronics, computers, televisions, and telecommunications. The modern Nokia was created in 1967 through the merger of Nokia Ab, Finnish Rubber Works, and Finnish Cable Works. During the 1970s and 1980s, the company pursued a broad industrial strategy, selling products that included cable, rubber goods, televisions, computers, military communications equipment, radio systems, and telephone exchanges. It also developed an important relationship with the Soviet market. Under chief executive Kari Kairamo, Nokia made numerous acquisitions and became a diversified European electronics group, but the strategy left it exposed when Finland entered a severe recession and Soviet trade collapsed at the beginning of the 1990s. Chief executive Jorma Ollila redirected Nokia toward telecommunications and mobile communications. The company’s Mobira business, formed with Salora in 1979, became the foundation of its mobile-phone operation. Nokia participated in the development and deployment of GSM, 3G, and LTE technologies, and Nokia equipment was used for the first GSM call in 1991. The Nokia 1011, introduced in 1992, was the first commercially available GSM handset. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nokia became the world’s largest mobile-phone vendor, helped by products such as the Nokia 5110, 3210, 3310, Communicator devices, and later the Nseries smartphones. Its colorful designs, interchangeable covers, strong battery life, user-friendly software, and global distribution made the brand exceptionally visible and helped make Nokia a source of national pride in Finland. Nokia also invested in mobile software and imaging. It helped establish Symbian Ltd. and later became its largest shareholder and full owner. Devices such as the 9210 Communicator, 7650, N95, N8, and 808 PureView demonstrated the company’s emphasis on mobile photography, multimedia, and converged computing. However, Nokia was slow to respond to the iPhone-led shift toward touchscreen smartphones and application ecosystems. Its adoption of Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform did not restore its former position, and the company’s handset market share declined sharply. In 2014, Microsoft acquired Nokia’s Devices & Services handset business. Nokia retained its network, technology-development, and licensing activities and subsequently concentrated on telecommunications infrastructure. It sold the HERE mapping business, acquired Alcatel-Lucent in 2016, and incorporated Bell Labs into its research organization. The Nokia brand returned to mobile phones and smartphones through a licensing arrangement with HMD Global, but Nokia Corporation itself is principally a provider of mobile, fixed, and cloud-network technologies, software, services, optical and IP networking, private wireless solutions, and patent licensing. It remains publicly listed in Helsinki and New York and operates across international communications markets.

History

Nokia began in 1865 as a pulp and paper enterprise founded by Fredrik Idestam near Tampere. A second mill was established near Nokia, and the company adopted the Nokia name in 1871 after Idestam and Leo Mechelin formed Nokia Ab. Mechelin later expanded the business into electricity generation. Separately, Finnish Rubber Works and Finnish Cable Works developed businesses near the same locality. These companies came under common control and merged in 1967 to form Nokia Corporation. The post-merger company was highly diversified. Its activities included forestry, rubber, cables, electronics, chemicals, televisions, computers, telephone exchanges, and military communications. Nokia entered mobile radio through a 1979 joint venture with Salora called Mobira. Mobira launched the Nordic Mobile Telephone service in 1981 and the Mobira Senator car phone in 1982. Nokia acquired Mobira in 1984 and continued developing portable cellular products. During the same period it acquired Salora, Luxor, Oceanic, Schaub-Lorenz, and Ericsson’s information-systems business, becoming a major European electronics manufacturer. The diversification strategy became difficult to sustain after the Finnish recession and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nokia sold or separated several non-core activities, including its computer division and tire business. Under Jorma Ollila, appointed chief executive in 1992, the company concentrated on telecommunications. Nokia invested heavily in GSM and later mobile standards, infrastructure, and handsets. The first GSM call on a Nokia-built network took place in Finland in 1991, and the Nokia 1011 entered the market in 1992. By 1998 Nokia had become the world’s largest mobile-phone vendor. The company’s peak mobile era extended into the 2000s. Its mainstream phones, communicators, camera phones, and Nseries smartphones gave it a broad international customer base. Nokia helped develop Symbian and used the operating system across many smartphones. It also pursued mobile gaming, imaging, music, navigation, and enterprise communication. The N95, N8, and 808 PureView illustrated its hardware and camera strengths. The arrival of the iPhone in 2007 and the rapid growth of Android changed the competitive basis of the market. Nokia’s software ecosystem and touchscreen response were widely regarded as insufficiently competitive. In 2011 the company chose Windows Phone through a strategic partnership with Microsoft, but Lumia sales did not reverse the decline. Microsoft purchased the Devices & Services operation in 2014. After the handset transaction, Nokia returned to its historical communications focus. It sold HERE, invested in network infrastructure and software, and acquired Alcatel-Lucent in 2016. The acquisition expanded Nokia’s fixed, mobile, IP, optical, and services businesses and brought Bell Labs into the group. Nokia also experimented with digital health and virtual reality, although these initiatives did not become its central business. HMD Global separately revived Nokia-branded consumer devices under license. Nokia’s current identity is centered on telecommunications networks, cloud and network services, private wireless, optical and IP technologies, research, standards, and patent licensing. The company continues to serve operators, governments, enterprises, and industrial customers worldwide while maintaining public listings in Finland and the United States.

2023
Corporate brand refresh
[3]Nokia refreshes brand identitynokia.com
Nokia introduced a new visual identity intended to emphasize its transformation into a business-to-business technology company.
2016
Alcatel-Lucent acquisition completed
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Nokia completed the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent and expanded its network infrastructure and research capabilities.
2014
Handset business sold to Microsoft
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Microsoft acquired Nokia’s Devices & Services operation.
2011
Windows Phone strategy announced
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Nokia and Microsoft entered a strategic smartphone-platform partnership.
2001
Symbian Communicator era begins
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
The Nokia 9210 Communicator became an important early Symbian smartphone.
1998
Largest mobile-phone vendor
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Nokia overtook Motorola to become the world’s leading mobile-phone vendor.
1992
Nokia 1011 introduced
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Nokia launched the first commercially available GSM mobile phone.
1991
First GSM call on a Nokia network
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
The first GSM call was made in Finland using Nokia network equipment.
1981
NMT mobile service launched
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Mobira introduced equipment for the Nordic Mobile Telephone network, an early international cellular system.
1979
Mobira joint venture established
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Nokia and Salora created Mobira, the foundation of Nokia’s mobile-phone business.
1967
Nokia Corporation created
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Nokia, Finnish Rubber Works, and Finnish Cable Works merged into one corporation.
1871
Nokia Ab formed
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Idestam and Leo Mechelin formed Nokia Ab and named it after the locality of the second mill.
1865
First pulp mill established
[1]Nokiaen.wikipedia.org
Fredrik Idestam founded the pulp mill that became the starting point of Nokia’s corporate history.

Products and positioning

A global communications-technology provider combining telecommunications infrastructure, network software, research, standards expertise, and intellectual-property licensing.

Mobile phones · 1982
Nokia mobile phones
Nokia’s classic mobile-phone portfolio ranged from simple voice-and-text handsets to feature phones with cameras, music, games, messaging, and internet access. Models such as the 5110, 3210, 3310, and 1100 became globally recognizable for durability, long battery life, accessible pricing, and industrial design. Nokia Corporation sold its handset business to Microsoft in 2014; later Nokia-branded consumer devices were developed by licensee HMD Global.
Smartphones · 1996
Nokia Communicator
The Communicator family combined cellular telephony with a wide physical keyboard, larger display, messaging, personal-information management, and business applications. The 9210 Communicator, introduced in 2001, was an early Symbian-based smartphone and reflected Nokia’s long-standing interest in converged mobile computing.
Smartphones · 2005
Nokia Nseries
Nseries devices were Nokia’s flagship multimedia smartphones in the mid-2000s. The range emphasized cameras, music, video, connectivity, navigation, and third-party applications. The N95 became particularly influential because it combined advanced imaging, GPS, wireless connectivity, and multimedia functions in one handset.
Smartphones · 2011
Nokia Lumia
Lumia was Nokia’s principal Windows Phone smartphone family, developed during the company’s partnership with Microsoft. Devices such as the Lumia 920 emphasized camera technology, wireless charging, distinctive industrial design, and integration with Microsoft services. The line ended as Nokia’s own handset business was transferred to Microsoft.
Radio access network · 2017
Nokia AirScale
AirScale is a Nokia radio-access and baseband platform designed for mobile operators deploying current and next-generation cellular networks. It supports scalable network capacity, multiple radio technologies, cloud-oriented architectures, and 5G use cases. The platform is part of Nokia’s contemporary operator-infrastructure portfolio.
Telecommunications infrastructure · 2018
Nokia 5G network solutions
Nokia supplies 5G radio access, core-network, transport, automation, analytics, and related services to communications operators and enterprise customers. These offerings support enhanced mobile broadband, industrial connectivity, private wireless deployments, and network modernization.
Research and intellectual property · 2016
Nokia Bell Labs
Bell Labs became part of Nokia through the Alcatel-Lucent acquisition. It conducts research in communications, networking, computing, wireless technologies, and related fields, contributing to standards, patents, and long-term technology development.

Controversies

2021
Nokia files patent complaints against OPPO
Nokia filed patent infringement complaints against OPPO concerning standard-essential and non-SEP patents. OPPO criticized Nokia's actions and accused Nokia of dishonouring patent licensing under FRAND terms; the article does not report a court determination.
Source
2021
Nokia and Lenovo resolve patent proceedings
Nokia announced that it had concluded a multi-year, multi-technology patent cross-license agreement with Lenovo, resolving all pending patent litigation and other proceedings between them in all jurisdictions. Lenovo will make a net balancing payment to Nokia; the deal terms remain confidential.
Source
2020
Mannheim court rules for Nokia in Daimler patent dispute
A Mannheim court ruled that Daimler violated Nokia's mobile-technology patents. Daimler said it would appeal; the ruling could potentially allow Nokia to seek a sales ban in Germany, subject to a separate proceeding and collateral requirement.
Source
2020
Finnish watchdog opens preliminary investigation into Nokia share-price drop
Finland’s Financial Supervisory Authority launched a preliminary investigation into Nokia’s unusual share-price drop the previous autumn. The watchdog wants to know why Nokia did not provide information about its markedly worsened outlook until October; Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri denied any delay in releasing the information.
Source

2023Nokia brand refresh
Global
Nokia introduced a redesigned logo and corporate identity to communicate a shift from a consumer-handset image toward business-to-business networking and technology.
Outcome. The refresh clarified the company’s post-handset positioning while retaining the Nokia name.
Source

Brand decisions

2016
Acquire Alcatel-LucentM&A
Background
Nokia sought greater scale and a broader portfolio in network equipment after exiting its own handset manufacturing business.
Action taken
Nokia acquired Alcatel-Lucent, including its fixed-network, mobile-network, IP, optical, services, and Bell Labs activities.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Nokia’s position as a full-service telecommunications infrastructure supplier.
Source
2014
Sell Devices & Services to MicrosoftM&A
Background
Nokia’s mobile-phone business had suffered a prolonged decline in the smartphone market despite its Windows Phone strategy.
Action taken
Nokia sold its Devices & Services operation to Microsoft and retained its network infrastructure, technology, and licensing activities.
Aftermath
Nokia concentrated on telecommunications infrastructure and later expanded through the Alcatel-Lucent acquisition.
Source
2011
Adopt Windows Phone as primary smartphone platformStrategy
Background
Nokia faced increasing competition from Apple’s iPhone and Android manufacturers and concluded that its existing smartphone software position was weakening.
Action taken
Nokia entered a strategic partnership with Microsoft and made Windows Phone the main platform for its smartphone strategy.
Aftermath
The Lumia range produced notable devices but did not restore Nokia’s former smartphone market position; Microsoft later acquired the handset business.
- Microsoft — Microsoft became Nokia’s principal smartphone-platform partner and later acquired the Devices & Services business.
- Google — Android manufacturers continued expanding their share of the smartphone market.
Source

Recent events

2026
Reported2026.08.16
Nokia to close Hangzhou wireless R&D site and cut about 1,600 jobs by end-2026[8]诺基亚将于2026年底前关闭杭州无线研发基地并裁员约1600人vava8.com
Nokia confirmed it will completely close its Hangzhou wireless technology R&D base by the end of 2026, eliminating about 1,600 jobs, as part of its continued contraction in the Chinese market.
2026.10.31
Reported2026.10.31
HMD unveils Nokia 2360 Flip phone[9]HMD发布诺基亚 2360 Flip 翻盖手机livemint.com
HMD unveiled the Nokia 2360 Flip, a 2G flip phone designed for senior citizens with Family Assist, SOS and parental-control features. HMD had not announced the phone’s India price, launch or availability details at the time of publication.
2026.10.22
Reported2026.10.23
Nokia and ICEYE sign defense and satellite capabilities letter of intent with Ukraine[10]诺基亚与 ICEYE 和乌克兰签署国防及卫星能力合作意向书cnbc.com
Nokia and ICEYE signed a letter of intent with Ukraine's Ministry of Defense to develop new defense and satellite communication capabilities.
2026.10.21
Nokia and NVIDIA launch a sovereign agentic AI platform for telecom network autonomy[11]诺基亚与英伟达推出面向电信网络自主运营的主权智能体人工智能平台investegate.co.uk
Nokia and NVIDIA announced a sovereign agentic AI platform for telecom operators, integrating NVIDIA AI Enterprise software and Nemotron models and libraries into Nokia’s agentic platform to support building and operating agents across network domains.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.13
Nokia sells Enterprise Campus Edge business to Aurelius[12]诺基亚将Enterprise Campus Edge业务出售给Aureliusnews.google.com
Nokia is selling its Enterprise Campus Edge business to Aurelius, as reported by Reuters.
2026.10.07
Reported2026.10.07
Nokia plans to cut up to 253 jobs in Finland[13]诺基亚计划在芬兰裁减多达253个工作岗位yle.fi
Nokia is planning to reduce its staff in Finland by up to 253 employees, according to Helsingin Sanomat. The company informed employees of the plans without issuing a press release, citing reasons including boosting competitiveness and enabling investments that will contribute to future growth. Change negotiations with employee representatives, affecting Nokia workers in Espoo, Tampere and Oulu, are set to begin on 12 October, and Nokia's communications chief Maria Vaismaa confirmed the firm has commenced the change negotiations process.
Unconfirmed
Reported2026.10.01
Nokia and Iceye to develop low-orbit satellite systems for defence and security[14]诺基亚与Iceye将联合研制用于国防与安全的低轨卫星系统news.google.com
Nokia and Iceye are to jointly make low-orbit satellite systems intended for defence and security, as reported by Reuters.
2026.08.07
Nokia agrees to acquire NXP’s Chandler fabrication campus[15]诺基亚同意收购恩智浦钱德勒晶圆厂园区semiconductor-today.com
Nokia entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NXP Semiconductors’ Chandler Semiconductor Fabrication campus in Arizona. The transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2029.
2026.07.23
Reported2026.08.16
Nokia raises 2026 restructuring cost guidance to EUR 800 million[8]诺基亚将于2026年底前关闭杭州无线研发基地并裁员约1600人vava8.com
When reporting second-quarter results on July 23, Nokia raised its 2026 restructuring cost expectation from EUR 250 million to EUR 800 million, with about EUR 350 million directly related to China business restructuring.
Unconfirmed
Reported2022.03.07
HMD Global exits flagship-phone competition[16]HMD Global退出旗舰手机竞争eprice.com.hk
HMD Global, the holder of the Nokia brand, has exited competition in the flagship-phone segment, according to the article; its product marketing chief said that making an $800 phone currently makes no sense for the company.

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