REG-Nokia announces new strategy, evolution of its operating model, new long-term financial target, strategic KPIs and changes to its Group Leadership Team
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Nokia Corporation
Stock Exchange Release
19 November 2025 at 13:00 EET
Nokia announces new strategy, evolution of its operating model, new long-term
financial target, strategic KPIs and changes to its Group Leadership Team
Espoo, Finland – Nokia is holding its Capital Markets Day 2025 today and
announcing its strategy to position itself to lead in the AI-driven
transformation of networks and capture the value of the AI supercycle. Nokia
also announces new long-term financial target, strategic KPIs for the
business, an evolution of its operating model and changes to its Group
Leadership Team. To execute on its new strategic direction, Nokia is
simplifying its operational model into two primary operating segments of
Network Infrastructure and Mobile Infrastructure. These changes are intended
to put Nokia on a stronger path to innovate, serve its customers and create
shareholder value. The company now targets to grow its annual comparable
operating profit to a range of EUR 2.7 to 3.2 billion by 2028.
“Nokia changed the world once by connecting people — and will again by
connecting intelligence,” said Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia.
“As the trusted western provider of secure and advanced connectivity, our
technology is powering the AI supercycle. From fixed to mobile infrastructure
we are developing technology that accelerates value for our customers. I am
proud of the work Team Nokia is doing to focus and lead this critical era in
connectivity”.
The new strategy will focus on the following five strategic priorities:
1. Accelerate growth in AI & Cloud
2. Lead the next era of mobile connectivity with AI-native networks and 6G
3. Grow by co-innovating with customers and partners
4. Focus capital where Nokia can differentiate
5. Unlock sustainable returns
Together, these priorities will focus Nokia on where it can lead, simplify how
it operates, and strengthen its path to deliver growth and create value.
Nokia to operate with two primary operating segments
Nokia will reorganize its business into two primary operating segments to
better align to customer needs and accelerate innovation as the AI supercycle
increases demand for advanced connectivity. This reorganization will take
effect as of 1 January 2026.
The reorganization recognizes Network Infrastructure as a growth segment,
positioned to capitalize on the rapid, global AI and data center build-out
while continuing to innovate for its telecommunications customer base. The
segment will continue to be led by David Heard and consists of three business
units Optical Networks, IP Networks and Fixed Networks.
The new Mobile Infrastructure segment will bring together Nokia’s Core
Networks portfolio, Radio Networks portfolio and Technology Standards,
formerly Nokia Technologies. It will be positioned for core and radio network
technology and services leadership to lead the industry to AI-native networks
and 6G. The new segment brings together a portfolio whose value creation is
founded on mobile communication technologies based on 3GPP standards with a
strong cash flow position underpinned by IP licensing. It will be led by
Justin Hotard on an interim basis and will consist of three business units
Core Software, Radio Networks and Technology Standards.
As part of these changes, Nokia is announcing additional changes in its
leadership team, effective 1 January 2026. Raghav Sahgal will take the
position of Nokia’s Chief Customer Officer, and will continue in the Group
Leadership Team, driving a seamless customer experience for Nokia’s
customers. Patrik Hammarén will continue in the Group Leadership Team as
President, Technology Standards, formerly Nokia Technologies, reflecting the
significant value technology standards creates for Nokia. In addition, Tommi
Uitto will step down from the Group Leadership Team, effective 31 December.
Businesses moved to newly created Portfolio Businesses segment
As part of its strategy work, Nokia has conducted a thorough review of its
business portfolio. This process identified several units which despite some
compelling growth opportunities, are not seen as core to the future of the
company’s strategy. These units will be moved into a dedicated operating
segment called Portfolio Businesses while the company assesses the best value
creating opportunity for them.
Nokia plans to move the following units into Portfolio Businesses:
* Fixed Wireless Access CPE (currently in Fixed Networks in Network
Infrastructure)
* Site Implementation and Outside Plant (currently in Fixed Networks in
Network Infrastructure)
* Enterprise Campus Edge (currently in Cloud and Network Services)
* Microwave Radio (currently in Mobile Networks)
Nokia targets to conclude on a future direction for each unit during 2026.
During this transition Nokia’s priority will be to ensure continuity for
customers and employees. During the past twelve months, these units generated
net sales of approximately EUR 0.9 billion with an operating loss of EUR 0.1
billion.
Moving defense into dedicated unit for incubation
Nokia Defense is being launched as an incubation unit to serve as the central
go-to-market and R&D hub for Nokia’s defense portfolio. Building on the
strong foundation of Nokia Federal Solutions in the US, the company sees
further opportunities in the US, Finland and other allied countries to deliver
defense-grade solutions based on Nokia’s core technologies in Network and
Mobile infrastructure.
New long-term financial target and strategic KPIs
Nokia is introducing a new long-term financial target to achieve comparable
operating profit of EUR 2.7 billion to EUR 3.2 billion by 2028, an increase
from the EUR 2.0 billion generated in the last 12 months (Q4’24-Q3’25).
This is a separate long-term target for Nokia, not part of the group level
financial outlook and replaces Nokia’s prior long-term targets to grow
faster than the market, achieve a comparable operating margin of at least 13%
and free cash flow conversion from comparable operating profit of 55% to 85%.
Nokia is exposed to different trends across its primary segments and will use
different strategic levers across the company maximise shareholder value
creation based on the greatest opportunities. Nokia is introducing a series of
strategic KPIs which best illustrate the expected outcomes of Nokia’s
strategy. These KPIs for the business are not part of the group level
financial outlook.
* Net sales growth in Network Infrastructure: Nokia targets 6-8% net sales
CAGR during 2025-2028. This includes a 10-12% target for the combined Optical
Networks and IP Networks.
* Network Infrastructure operating margin: 13% to 17% by 2028
* Mobile Infrastructure gross margin: 48-50% by 2028
* Mobile Infrastructure operating profit: Grow from a base of EUR 1.5 billion
* Group Common and Other operating expenses: EUR 150 million operating
expenses down from the current EUR 350 million run-rate by 2028.
* Free cash flow conversion: Nokia targets to deliver free cash flow
conversion from comparable operating profit of between 65% and 75%.
Provisional financial information for the new segment structure
Nokia’s new segments will be established from 1 January 2026 and Nokia will
begin reporting its financial results under the new segment structure
beginning with its first quarter 2026 financial results. Nokia intends to
publish recast financials for both 2024 and 2025 under the new reporting
structure during the first quarter of 2026. Nokia is providing the below
approximate provisional breakdown of the business within the new reporting
framework to help investors understand the perimeter, these figures are also
provided proforma for the Infinera acquisition.
Q4’24 – Q3’25 (EUR billion) Net sales Gross margin Operating profit Operating margin
Network Infrastructure* 7.8 43% 0.8 10%
Mobile Infrastructure 11.6 48% 1.5 13%
Portfolio businesses 0.9 22% -0.1 N/A
Group Common and Other -0.2 N/A
Nokia comparable* 20.3 45% 2.0 10%
*This provisional financial information is also shown proforma for the
Infinera acquisition.
Starting with its Q1 2026 financial results, Nokia will provide on a quarterly
basis full segment reporting for the new segments (i.e. net sales, gross
profit, operating profit) and will also provide revenue disclosure for the
business units within the primary operating segments. The business units
within Network Infrastructure will be Optical Networks, IP Networks and Fixed
Networks. The business units within Mobile Infrastructure will be Core
Software, Radio Networks and Technology Standards.
About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across
fixed, mobile, and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell
Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
Inquiries:
Nokia
Communications
Phone: +358 10 448 4900
Email: press.services@nokia.com
Maria Vaismaa, Vice President, Global Media Relations
Nokia
Investor Relations
Phone: +358 931 580 507
Email: investor.relations@nokia.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Nokia's current
expectations and views of future developments and include statements
regarding: A) expectations, plans, benefits or outlook related to our
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general or regional macroeconomic conditions on our businesses, our supply
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or benefits related to transactions, investments and changes in organizational
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"anticipate", “continue”, “believe”, “envisage”, “expect”,
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"see", “plan”, “ensure” or similar expressions. These forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which
are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ
materially from such statements. These statements are based on management’s
best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available
to them. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon our
current expectations and views of future events and developments and are
subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict because they
relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future.
Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences,
include those risks and uncertainties identified in our 2024 annual report on
Form 20-F published on 13 March 2025 under Operating and financial review and
prospects-Risk factors