Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks. It was a major telecommunications equipment and services joint venture established in 2007 between the Nokia Networks business group and the carrier-related operations of Siemens AG. The company was a leading global provider of mobile and fixed network infrastructure, operating in over 150 countries and competing directly with rivals like Ericsson and Huawei. In 2013, following a period of restructuring and strategic refocusing, Nokia acquired Siemens' stake, and the entity was fully integrated back into Nokia, eventually forming the core of Nokia Networks.

History

The formation of the joint venture was announced in June 2006, a strategic move by Nokia and Siemens AG to consolidate their respective telecommunications infrastructure businesses in response to intense global competition. Operations officially commenced on April 1, 2007, with its global headquarters located in Espoo, Finland. The early years were challenging, marked by significant job cuts and restructuring to achieve synergies, against the backdrop of the global financial crisis of 2007–2008. A pivotal moment came in 2011 when it acquired the majority of the wireless network infrastructure assets of Motorola Solutions, significantly bolstering its presence in key markets like North America and Japan. In July 2013, Nokia announced the acquisition of Siemens' 50% stake, concluding the joint venture and bringing the operations wholly under the Nokia umbrella, a process completed by the end of that year.

Products and services

Its portfolio encompassed a comprehensive range of hardware, software, and services for telecommunications operators. Core offerings included Radio access network (RAN) equipment like Flexi Multiradio base stations, Core network solutions for GSM, W-CDMA, and LTE, and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) platforms. The company was also a major player in the optical network and broadband access markets, providing technology for fiber-optic communication and DSL. Its services division, one of the world's largest, offered professional services such as network planning, systems integration, and managed services, helping operators like T-Mobile and Vodafone deploy and maintain complex networks.

Corporate affairs

The company was jointly owned by Nokia and Siemens AG, with each holding a 50% stake until 2013. Its leadership included first CEO Simon Beresford-Wylie and later Rajeev Suri, who would become CEO of the integrated Nokia Networks. Major operational and R&D sites were spread globally, including significant centers in Munich, Oulu, and Bangalore. Financially, it aimed for profitability in a highly competitive sector dominated by Ericsson, navigating market pressures through cost-cutting and portfolio refinement. The company also engaged in various patent licensing agreements and was involved in several legal disputes, including a high-profile case with IPCom.

Major projects and deployments

It was responsible for numerous landmark network deployments worldwide. Notably, it was a key supplier for Japan's advanced LTE networks operated by NTT Docomo and SoftBank. In Europe, it provided infrastructure for major modernization projects for operators such as Telefónica and Deutsche Telekom. The company played a significant role in building some of the first commercial LTE networks in North America for T-Mobile US. Furthermore, it secured substantial contracts in emerging markets, including a major network expansion deal with Bharti Airtel in India and projects with China Mobile, supporting the rapid growth of mobile subscribers across Asia.

See also

* Nokia * Siemens AG * Nokia Networks * Ericsson * Huawei * Alcatel-Lucent * Telecommunications equipment * Mobile telephony

Category:Telecommunications companies Category:Defunct companies of Finland Category:Defunct companies of Germany Category:Joint ventures