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Nokia Corporation is a major Finnish multinational company.

NSN-tampere
NSN-tampere

It operates in telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics. Today, the company is a leader in building the infrastructure for global connectivity. In 2020, Nokia employed approximately 92,000 people.

Nokia Networks Munich Office, April 2017 -02
Nokia Networks Munich Office, April 2017 -02

They conducted business in more than 130 countries. The company reported annual revenues of about €23 billion. Nokia is a public limited company. It is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the New York Stock Exchange. It is also part of the Euro Stoxx 50 stock market index.

Nokia's history began in 1865. A mining engineer named Fredrik Idestam founded a pulp mill. This mill sat on the shores of the Tammerkoski rapids near Tampere, Finland. In 1868, a second pulp mill opened near the town of Nokia. This location offered better hydropower resources. In 1871, Idestam and Leo Mechelin formed Nokia Ab. This company took its name from the second mill site.

Nokia Toilet paper
Nokia Toilet paper

For many years, the company was linked to forestry, rubber, and cables. In 1967, three companies merged to create the modern Nokia Corporation. This new corporation included businesses in forestry, cable, rubber, and electronics.

Nokian Boots (2)
Nokian Boots (2)

The company underwent massive changes during the late 20th century. In 1977, Kari Kairamo became CEO. He transformed the business through many acquisitions. Nokia bought companies like Salora, Luxor AB, and Oceanic. These moves made Nokia the third-largest television manufacturer in Europe.

In 1979, a joint venture called Mobira was established. Mobira focused on mobile radio telephones. This partnership became the foundation for Nokia's mobile phone business. In 1981, Mobira launched the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) service. This was the world's first international cellular network. It was also the first network to allow international roaming.

Mobile phones in the Museum of Technology, Helsinki
Mobile phones in the Museum of Technology, Helsinki

Nokia's mobile phone era saw incredible growth and success. In 1992, the Nokia 1011 became the first commercially available GSM phone. GSM is a digital standard for mobile networks.

Mobira Cityman 450
Mobira Cityman 450

For a decade starting in 1998, Nokia was the largest worldwide vendor of mobile phones. They reached a major milestone in December of that year. They manufactured their 100 millionth mobile phone. Consumers loved models like the 5110 and 3210. These handsets featured Xpress-on covers. These were colorful and replaceable back covers.

Nokia mobile phones
Nokia mobile phones

This allowed users to treat their phones as fashion items.

However, the company faced significant challenges in the late 2000s. Nokia suffered from a series of poor management decisions. As a result, its share of the mobile phone market dropped sharply. In 2014, Microsoft bought Nokia's mobile phone business. This new division was called Microsoft Mobile.

Nokia & Microsoft Lumia devices
Nokia & Microsoft Lumia devices

This sale changed the direction of the company. Nokia began to focus more on telecommunications infrastructure. They also moved into Internet of Things technologies. The Internet of Things refers to connecting everyday objects to the internet. Nokia also acquired Alcatel-Lucent. This included the famous Bell Labs research organization.

Ile-de-Batz-2004
Ile-de-Batz-2004

Nokia's impact on the Finnish economy has been immense. At its peak in the year 2000, Nokia was a massive force. It accounted for 4% of Finland's GDP. It also represented 21% of the country's total exports. Furthermore, it made up 70% of the Nasdaq Helsinki market capitalization. This scale made the company a source of national pride for Finns.

Jorma Ollila 2013
Jorma Ollila 2013

Even after selling its phone business, Nokia remains a global power. It is currently the world's third-largest network equipment manufacturer. It continues to be a major patent licensor for many mobile phone vendors.

Today, Nokia works on many advanced technological frontiers. The company experiments with virtual reality and digital health. They purchased Withings to help with their digital health efforts.

Nokia 6 12
Nokia 6 12

The Nokia brand also returned to the smartphone market in 2016. This happened through a licensing arrangement with a company called HMD. Nokia's work remains essential to the modern world. They helped develop the standards for 3G and LTE. These technologies allow our modern mobile world to function.

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🖼️ Images & Media (29)
File:Nokia Toilet paper.JPG
Nokia Toilet paper.JPG
File:Patteriston komentopaikka Hämeenlinna 4.JPG
Patteriston komentopaikka Hämeenlinna 4.JPG
File:Nokian Boots (2).jpg
Nokian Boots (2).jpg
File:Nokia Mikko display and keyboard.JPG
Nokia Mikko display and keyboard.JPG
File:Mobira Cityman 450.JPG
Mobira Cityman 450.JPG
File:Mobile_phones_in_the_Museum_of_Technology,_Helsinki.jpg
Mobile_phones_in_the_Museum_of_Technology,...
File:Jorma Ollila 2013.jpg
Jorma Ollila 2013.jpg
File:Nokia 2112.jpg
Nokia 2112.jpg
File:Digital-tv-box från Nokia.jpg
Digital-tv-box från Nokia.jpg
File:Nokia mobile phones.jpg
Nokia mobile phones.jpg
File:Nokia 7600.jpg
Nokia 7600.jpg
File:Nokia N-Gage.jpg
Nokia N-Gage.jpg

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