Brief History of NOKIA

Few companies have Nokia’s storied capacity for transforming, developing new technologies and adapting to shifts in market conditions.

From its beginning in 1865 as a single paper mill operation, Nokia has found and nurtured success in several sectors over the years, including cable, mobile devices, paper products, rubber boots and tires, and telecommunications infrastructure equipment.

Nokia’s sector-by-sector success over the years has mirrored its geographical rise: from a Finnish-focused company until the 1980s with a growing Nordic and European presence; to a bona fide European company in the early 1990s; and onto a truly global company from the mid-1990s onward. The acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent in 2016, further deepened and widened our global reach.

A topline outline of disciplined execution for successful integration and transformation

Bell Labs, a division of Alcatel-Lucent, brought an unparalleled history of technological innovation including: lasers, transistors, and UNIX. Bell labs researchers led analog, digital and mobile shifts in communication technology; the development of the Internet; and the innovation of wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) enabling huge increases in network capacity. Bell Labs pioneered the mobile revolution – from the first-ever hand-held mobile phone in 1973, to the first-ever calls on GSM and LTE.

An unrivalled track record of innovation

Nokia continues to pursue strategic acquisitions that enhance our strong end-to-end portfolio of products and solutions as we prepare to enter the 5G era.