Former mobile phone giant Nokia has pulled off a dramatic turnaround, evolving from a struggling handset maker, once eclipsed by the launch of Apple’s iPhone, into a key player in telecom infrastructure and AI-focused technology.
After selling its mobile devices division in 2014, the Finnish company refocused on network equipment, optical technology and cloud-connected infrastructure. Its strategic pivot culminated in a $1 billion investment from Nvidia in 2025, anchoring a partnership to embed advanced AI capabilities into next-generation telecom networks and data-centre systems.
Analysts say Nokia’s resilience lies in its ability to continually adapt its core capabilities, pivoting from early mobile dominance to infrastructure leadership, and align itself with emerging industry trends like artificial intelligence and 5G/6G networking. Though challenges remain in a competitive AI landscape, the Nvidia deal marks a major milestone in Nokia’s ongoing reinvention.
