Nokia Networks

What Nokia Networks does

Nokia Networks is the networks division of Nokia Corporation (Nokia Oyj), a publicly listed company on Nasdaq Helsinki (ticker NOKIA), headquartered in Espoo, Finland, with global operations spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and North America. The division provides network infrastructure across fixed, mobile, and transport networks — AirScale 5G radio access for macro and small cell deployments, resilient 5G core networks, broadband access with GPON/XGS-PON/NG-PON2 (10G to 100G), microwave transport (positioned for 6G readiness), IP routing, switching and aggregation, and optical transport. In 2025 Nokia extended its data center portfolio with the 7220 IXR-H6 switch family supporting up to 102.4 Tb/s capacity and 1.6 Terabit Ethernet interfaces for AI infrastructure workloads, alongside ICE-X 100G/400G pluggable coherent optics and ICE-D intra-data center optics for data center interconnect.

Underlying the hardware is a software layer organized around the Autonomous Networks platform, including Event-Driven Automation (EDA) for fabric operations, the Network Services Platform for IP network automation, the Altiplano Access Controller for fixed access, the Digital Operations Center for AI-powered operations, Deepfield for DDoS detection and mitigation, and cybersecurity offerings spanning XDR and Cyberdome managed security, with a separate Quantum-Safe Networks offering. Nokia Bell Labs operates as a wholly-owned research subsidiary continuing to drive future-technology research including 6G and integrated communication and sensing.

The company sells to three primary horizontal segments: telecommunication providers (deploying and modernizing fixed, mobile, and transport networks), AI and cloud providers (requiring high-capacity data center interconnect and automated network operations), and mission-critical enterprises across defense (via Nokia Federal Solutions in the US), energy, transportation, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and public sector. Revenue is generated through five streams — network infrastructure hardware sales (AirScale, switches, optics, routers), professional and managed services for network design and lifecycle management, software and licensing for automation and security platforms, royalty income from licensing the Nokia telecommunications patent portfolio, and training and certification programs. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise field sales supported by a certified global partner network of system integrators, resellers, and technology integrators, with offices in Espoo, Sharjah, and Singapore among other locations.

Name

Nokia Networks

Legal name

Nokia Corporation (Nokia Oyj)

Website

https://networks.nokia.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Nokia Networks, the networks division of Nokia Corporation, provides 5G radio access, optical transport, IP routing, data center switching, and AI-driven network automation software for telecommunications providers, AI/cloud operators, and mission-critical enterprises globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Espoo

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Network Infrastructure Products: Nokia sells network infrastructure hardware including data center switches, IP routers, optical transport equipment, 5G radio access (AirScale), and microwave transport. These are capital expenditure purchases for telecom providers, AI/cloud providers, and enterprises, typically as large infrastructure projects or network modernization cycles.
2. Professional and Managed Services: Nokia provides professional services for network design, deployment, and operation, as well as managed services. These are recurring service contracts with telecom operators and enterprises for network lifecycle management.
3. Software and Licensing: Nokia licenses its patent portfolio and sells software subscriptions for network automation, cybersecurity (XDR, Cyberdome), and analytics. Software includes the Network Services Platform, Altiplano Access Controller, Corteca, and EDA tools.
4. Patent Licensing: Nokia licenses its telecommunications patent portfolio to third parties building on its patented technologies, generating royalty-based revenue.
5. Training and Certification: Nokia offers industry-recognized certification programs and training services that build technical expertise, generating revenue from course delivery and certification fees.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nokia Networks designs, manufactures, and sells fixed, mobile, and transport network infrastructure — including 5G radio access (AirScale), data center switches (7220 IXR-H6), IP routing, optical transport, microwave transport, broadband access, and core networks — for telecommunications providers, AI/cloud operators, and mission-critical enterprises. It complements this hardware portfolio with AI-driven network automation software (EDA, Network Services Platform, Autonomous Networks), cybersecurity (Deepfield, XDR, Cyberdome), patent licensing, and professional/managed services.

Product overview

Nokia Networks provides a comprehensive portfolio of network solutions across fixed, mobile, and transport networks for the AI era. The portfolio is organized into three main customer segments: AI and cloud providers (requiring high-bandwidth data center interconnectivity), mission-critical enterprises (requiring reliability and security across defense, energy, transportation, and industrial sectors), and telecommunication providers (requiring efficient mobile and fixed access). The product architecture consists of foundational network infrastructure platforms including Data Center Networks (with 7220 IXR-H6 switches, EDA automation, ICE-D/ICE-X optics), Optical Networks, IP Networks (with Deepfield DDoS security and Network Services Platform automation), Radio Access Networks (AirScale 5G), Core Networks, Microwave Transport, and Broadband Access. These are complemented by intelligent software layers: Autonomous Networks platform, Cybersecurity (XDR/Cyberdome), Quantum-Safe Networks, and Network APIs for programmability. Nokia Bell Labs provides ongoing R&D including 6G research. The solutions enable AI infrastructure, high-speed connectivity, network automation, and security across telecommunications, enterprise, and government sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nokia Bell Labs: Advanced research organization known for pioneering innovations including the transistor, with Nobel Prize-winning research in communications and future technologies.
• Nokia Federal Solutions
• AirScale
• Nokia EDA (Event-Driven Automation)
• Deepfield
• Corteca

Products and services

• Data Center Networks Comprehensive data center networking portfolio supporting AI workloads and traditional applications with high-capacity switches, fabric automation, and connectivity solutions for hyperscale and enterprise data centers.
• 7220 IXR-H6 Switch Family High-capacity data center switch family supporting up to 102.4 Tb/s capacity and 1.6 Terabit Ethernet interfaces, designed for AI infrastructure workloads.
• Optical Networks Scalable, intelligent optical connectivity solutions for transport and data center interconnection, including optical network automation.
• Intra-data Center Optics (ICE-D) High-speed intra-data center optical connectivity solution engineered for AI infrastructure and high-bandwidth interconnect.
• ICE-X 100G/400G Pluggable Coherent Optics Pluggable coherent optics providing 100G and 400G connectivity for optical network and data center interconnection expansion.
• IP Networks Scalable, secure, and adaptive IP routing, switching, and aggregation solutions for service providers and large enterprises.
• Mobile Networks / Radio Access Networks (AirScale) 5G radio access network solutions including AirScale base stations for macro and small cell deployments by telecom operators.
• Core Networks Resilient mobile core solutions designed for network autonomy with 5G core and beyond capabilities for service providers.
• Microwave Transport Advanced microwave transport solutions prepared for 6G and the AI era, supporting backhaul for telecom operators.
• Broadband Access Networks Fixed access solutions including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) with GPON, XGS-PON, and NG-PON2 technologies delivering 10G to 100G speeds.
• Cybersecurity (XDR and Cyberdome) Comprehensive cybersecurity offerings including extended detection and response (XDR) and Nokia Cyberdome managed security services for telecom and enterprise networks.
• Autonomous Networks Platform AI-native intelligent platform enabling self-managing, self-healing network operations with autonomous network fabric and apps.
• Private Networks Private wireless network solutions for enterprises enabling efficiency, security, reliability, and sustainability in industrial and campus environments.
• Network APIs Programmable network APIs enabling developers to innovate at scale by exposing network capabilities as consumable interfaces.
• Certifications and Training Industry-recognized certification and training programs delivered through Nokia's learning services division to build technical expertise among customers and partners.
• Patent Licensing Licensing of Nokia's telecommunications patent portfolio to third parties building products that leverage Nokia's patented technologies, generating royalty-based revenue.

Quantifiable outcome

• U6GHz field trials achieved 10 Gbps downlink speeds in UAE commercial deployment with du and e&
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SPARK (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026SPARK and Nokia Solutions and Networks AE signed a strategic MoU during SPARK's annual Ramadan Majlis in Sharjah, UAE, to accelerate innovation across the MENA region. The partnership focuses on knowledge exchange and innovation collaboration, global network engagement, co-development of master classes and training programmes, and creating platforms that support innovation and partnerships including the Tech Matchmaker concept.
• Blaize Holdings, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 5 February 2026Blaize and Nokia Solutions and Networks Singapore Pte. Ltd. signed a strategic MOU to collaborate on developing and deploying AI systems for real-world operation across APAC. The partnership aims to accelerate hybrid AI inference use cases and validate deployments, emphasizing edge and cloud infrastructure integration for Nokia's network solutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Ericsson: Direct peer across mobile networks (5G RAN, core, transport) and managed services for telecom operators globally. Competes head-to-head with Nokia's AirScale and core networks portfolio and is the strongest Western alternative in 5G RAN.
• Ciena: Direct peer in optical transport and data center interconnect, where Ciena holds the #2 global revenue share behind Huawei. Competes most directly with Nokia's Optical Networks and ICE-X pluggable coherent optics portfolio.
• ZTE: Direct peer in 5G RAN, optical transport, and IP networking, particularly in emerging markets and Asia. Holds the #4 Optical Transport revenue share behind Nokia and competes on integrated carrier-grade offerings.
• Cisco: Direct peer in IP routing, optical transport, and data center networking for service providers and enterprises. Competes with Nokia's IP Networks, Optical Networks, and 7220 IXR-H6 switching portfolio, especially in hyperscaler and large-enterprise deals.
• Juniper Networks (HPE): Direct peer in IP routing, switching, and network automation for service providers and enterprises. Recently acquired by HPE, Juniper's Mist AI and routing portfolio overlaps with Nokia's IP Networks and Network Services Platform.
• Arista Networks: Direct peer in high-performance data center switching targeting hyperscalers and AI cloud providers. Competes with Nokia's 7220 IXR-H6 family for AI infrastructure buildouts and is a critical reference point for hyperscaler switching wins.

Broad incumbents

• Huawei: Global incumbent across telecom equipment (RAN, core, optical, IP, data center). Nokia's largest direct competitor, with leading share in Optical Transport and dominant position in emerging-market 5G rollouts; competing on integrated end-to-end portfolios.
• NEC: Broad incumbent in telecom and IT infrastructure, with submarine cable, optical, and 5G RAN presence particularly in Japan and APAC. Overlaps with Nokia across optical transport and 5G RAN where Japanese carriers operate.

Emerging players

• Mavenir: Emerging cloud-native challenger focused on Open RAN 5G, core networks, and AI-driven automation. Represents the architectural shift toward software-defined, vendor-disaggregated networks that could erode Nokia's integrated RAN share over time.
• Samsung Networks: Emerging challenger in 5G RAN (and previously in core) with growing share at specific operators in Korea, Japan, the US, and select European markets. Overlaps with Nokia's AirScale 5G radio access portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/nokia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nokia
• Facebookfacebook.com/nokia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nokia
• Instagraminstagram.com/nokia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nokia Networks