Nokia: Which Country Brand Reigns Supreme?

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Nokia Which Country Brand: Nokia Corporation, a Finnish multinational, has been a key player in telecommunications, consumer electronics, and information technology since its inception in 1865. Renowned as a pioneer in feature mobile phone technology, Nokia dominated the global mobile phone market throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, it faced significant challenges and witnessed a decline in market share in the latter part of the first decade of the 21st century.

Historical Background

Established in 1865 by mining engineer Frederick Idestam, Nokia initially operated as a paper mill before diversifying into electricity generation in 1902. Over time, Nokia expanded its ventures into the rubber market and eventually into electronics, cables, and forestry by 1967.

By the early 1960s, Nokia had ventured into manufacturing mobile radios, capacitors, telephone switches, and chemicals. In the 1980s, Nokia made strategic acquisitions of European television manufacturers, emerging as the third-largest television producer in Europe. The acquisition of Mobira telephone company led to the launch of its inaugural mobile phone, the Mobira Senator car phone, in 1982.

Nokia’s groundbreaking work in developing the GSM network in the 1980s culminated in the launch of the world’s first commercial GSM mobile phone, the Nokia 1011, in November 1992. This propelled Nokia to become the leading mobile phone brand by 1998. Additionally, Nokia introduced wireless LAN products in 1999.

However, facing stiff competition from Android smartphones, Nokia experienced a sharp decline in its mobile phone market share, leading to the sale of its mobile and devices division to Microsoft in 2014. Despite Microsoft’s attempt to revive Nokia smartphones with Windows operating systems, they failed to compete with Android counterparts. Consequently, Microsoft divested the Nokia-branded smartphone business to HMD Global in 2016.

Today, Nokia primarily focuses on network equipment manufacturing and IoT devices, while retaining patent licenses for its smartphones sold by other vendors.

Product Portfolio

Under license from HMD, Nokia smartphones run on the Android platform. The first Android-based Nokia smartphone, the Nokia 6, debuted in January 2017. Some of the latest models include the Nokia G42 5G, Nokia G60 5G, Nokia C12, and Nokia C30. Additionally, Nokia Technologies manufactures tablet computers such as the Nokia T10 and Nokia T21, along with virtual reality cameras, smart televisions, and WiFi routers.

Nokia Networks remains a prominent provider of wireless and fixed network infrastructure for 5G, 3G, GSM, LTE, and other radio access networks, serving network operators and service providers worldwide.