Nokia’s recent announcement to acquire Infinera marks another significant step in the company’s extensive history of mergers and acquisitions. This deal aims to enhance Nokia’s networking capabilities, solidifying its position as a leader in the telecommunications industry. Over the years, Nokia has strategically acquired companies like Alcatel-Lucent in 2016, which greatly expanded its telecommunications equipment and services portfolio. This merger itself was a combination of Alcatel and Lucent Technologies, highlighting the layers of consolidation that have shaped Nokia into a global powerhouse.
Alongside these acquisitions, Nokia has been actively restructuring to streamline its operations and enhance profitability. As part of a strategic plan announced in October 2023, Nokia aims to empower its business groups with more autonomy and agility. This includes embedding sales teams directly into business groups to better align with customer needs and seize growth opportunities. The restructuring plan targets a reduction in the cost base by EUR 800–1,200 million by the end of 2026, involving significant operational changes and a projected reduction in personnel from 86,000 to between 72,000 and 77,000 employees. This restructuring is designed to ensure Nokia’s long-term sustainability and competitive edge in the evolving telecommunications landscape.
Nokia’s strategy focuses on leveraging its technological leadership and innovation to drive growth. The company emphasizes investments in 5G, cloud, and digital infrastructure to support future capabilities. By aligning its operations with market demands and enhancing its cost-efficiency, Nokia aims to maintain its position as a B2B technology innovation leader, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of digitalization across various industries .
Here is a timeline of Nokia’s mergers, acquisitions, and strategic moves:
• 2021: Nokia acquired Deepfield, a network analytics company.
• 2021: Nokia formed a joint venture with China Huaxin, effectively withdrawing from direct operations in the Chinese mobile network market.
• 2020: Nokia acquired Elenion Technologies, a US-based company specializing in silicon photonics technology.
• 2020: Nokia acquired Unium, a software company specializing in mesh Wi-Fi technology for enhancing home networking solutions.
• 2016: Nokia acquired Withings, a French consumer electronics company specializing in health-related products (later rebranded as Nokia Health).
• 2016: Nokia acquired Alcatel-Lucent, significantly expanding Nokia’s presence in telecommunications equipment and services.
• 2016: Nokia sold its HERE digital mapping and location services business to a consortium of German automotive companies (Audi, BMW, and Daimler).
• 2015: Nokia acquired Siemens’ stake in the Nokia Siemens Networks joint venture, renaming it Nokia Networks.
• 2014: Nokia sold its Devices and Services division to Microsoft, which included the Lumia smartphone business.
• 2010: Nokia acquired MetaCarta, a company specializing in geographic search and referencing software.
• 2008: Nokia acquired Trolltech, a company known for its Qt development framework.
• 2008: Nokia acquired Navteq, a digital map data and location-based services company.
• 2006: Nokia acquired Intellisync, a mobile software and device management company.
• 2006: Nokia sold its mobile phone manufacturing plant in Bochum, Germany, amid restructuring efforts.
• 1998: Nokia acquired Technophone, a UK-based mobile phone manufacturer.
• 1997: Nokia acquired Ipsilon Networks, a company specializing in IP switching.
• 1991: Nokia acquired Mobira, a company specializing in radio telephones, marking its entry into the mobile phone market.
• 1988: Nokia sold its television manufacturing business to Finlux, exiting the consumer electronics market.
Alcatel-Lucent Pre-Acquisition by Nokia:
• 2014: Alcatel-Lucent acquired Optoplan, a provider of fiber-optic sensing technology.
• 2011: Alcatel-Lucent acquired OpenPlug, a mobile software company specializing in application development environments.
• 2011: Alcatel-Lucent acquired Kailight Photonics, an optical networking technology company.
• 2011: Alcatel-Lucent acquired the remaining stakes in LGS Innovations, focusing on secure networking solutions for the US government.
• 2010: Alcatel-Lucent acquired Velocix, a digital media delivery company.
• 2009: Alcatel-Lucent acquired ReachView Technologies, a provider of network operations and field maintenance services.
• 2008: Alcatel-Lucent acquired Motive, Inc., a provider of service management software for broadband and mobile data services.
• 2007: Alcatel-Lucent acquired Tropic Networks, a Canadian optical networking company.
• 2006: Alcatel merged with Lucent Technologies to form Alcatel-Lucent.
Lucent Technologies Timeline:
• 2005: Lucent Technologies acquired Riverstone Networks, a supplier of carrier Ethernet products.
• 2004: Lucent Technologies acquired Telica, a provider of next-generation switching technology.
• 2002: Lucent spun off Agere Systems, its semiconductor business.
• 2001: Lucent spun off Avaya, its enterprise communications systems and services unit.
• 2000: Lucent Technologies acquired Chromatis Networks, a maker of metropolitan area network optical systems.
• 2000: Lucent Technologies acquired Spring Tide Networks, a provider of IP service switches.
• 1999: Lucent Technologies acquired Ortel Corporation, a manufacturer of optical networking components.
• 1999: Lucent Technologies acquired Nexabit Networks, a high-speed switching company.
• 1999: Lucent Technologies acquired International Network Services (INS), a network consulting and integration company.
• 1999: Lucent Technologies acquired Kenan Systems, a billing and customer care software company.
• 1999: Lucent Technologies acquired Excel Switching Corporation, a provider of programmable switches for telecommunications networks.
• 1998: Lucent Technologies acquired Prominet Corporation, a company specializing in Ethernet switching products.
• 1998: Lucent Technologies acquired Yurie Systems, a manufacturer of ATM access products.
• 1998: Lucent Technologies acquired Ascend Communications, a major supplier of networking equipment.
• 1997: Lucent Technologies acquired Livingston Enterprises, a company specializing in remote access servers.
• 1997: Lucent Technologies acquired Octel Communications, a leading provider of voicemail systems.
• 1996: Lucent Technologies was spun off from AT&T as an independent company, comprising the former AT&T Network Systems and Bell Labs.
Alcatel Timeline:
• 2005: Alcatel acquired Spatial Wireless, a provider of mobile wireless network solutions.
• 2003: Alcatel acquired iMagicTV, a Canadian provider of software for IP television services.
• 2002: Alcatel acquired Astral Point Communications, a provider of optical networking solutions.
• 2000: Alcatel acquired Genesys, a leading provider of customer interaction management solutions.
• 2000: Alcatel acquired Assured Access Technology, a provider of remote access solutions.
• 2000: Alcatel acquired Packet Engines, a provider of high-speed network equipment.
• 2000: Alcatel acquired Xylan, a US-based network equipment manufacturer.
• 1998: Alcatel Alsthom was rebranded as Alcatel.
• 1997: Alcatel Alsthom acquired Digital Microwave Corporation, a US-based microwave communication company.
• 1996: Alcatel Alsthom acquired Newbridge Networks, a Canadian data networking company.
• 1993: Alcatel Alsthom acquired DSC Communications, a US-based digital switching company.
• 1991: Alcatel Alsthom acquired Rockwell International’s switching equipment business.
• 1990: Alcatel Alsthom acquired STL, a UK-based optical fiber and cable manufacturer.
• 1987: CGE merged with Alsthom, forming Alcatel Alsthom.
• 1986: CGE acquired Telettra, an Italian telecommunications equipment manufacturer.
• 1982: CGE acquired ITT Corporation’s European telecommunications business, forming Alcatel N.V.
• 1968: CGE acquired Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones (CIT), which was later renamed CIT-Alcatel.
• 1925: CGE acquired Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM).
• 1898: Compagnie Générale d’Electricité (CGE) was founded in France by Pierre Azaria.
Infinera Mergers and Acquisitions Timeline:
• 2015: Infinera acquired Transmode, a Swedish supplier of metro packet-optical networking solutions.
• 2018: Infinera acquired Coriant, a global supplier of open, disruptive, and hyperscale networking solutions.
Coriant Mergers and Acquisitions Timeline:
• 2013: Coriant was formed as an independent company after being spun off from Nokia Siemens Networks’ optical networking business.
• 2014: Coriant merged with Tellabs, a provider of packet optical and mobile backhaul solutions.
• 2015: Coriant acquired Sycamore Networks Solutions, a company specializing in intelligent bandwidth management solutions.
Tellabs Timeline:
• 1975: Tellabs was founded in Naperville, Illinois.
• 1992: Tellabs acquired Martis Oy, a Finnish provider of network management and transmission equipment.
• 1997: Tellabs acquired Coherent Communications Systems Corporation, a provider of network access products.
• 1998: Tellabs acquired Steinbrecher Corporation=
