Nokia denies mobile networks business sale to Samsung

Nokia has rejected speculation that Samsung is acquiring its mobile network business. The Finnish telecoms giant issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the division.

“Nokia has nothing to announce in relation to the speculations published in an article today, and no related insider project exists,” the company stated. “Nokia is committed to the success of its mobile networks business, a highly strategic asset for both Nokia and its customers.”

The company went on to highlight recent progress in the division, stating: “The business has made significant progress this year both on right-sizing its cost-base while protecting its product roadmap and winning new deals with new customers and increasing share with existing customers.”

Despite Nokia’s denial, the rumour mill has been churning for months regarding potential sales of portions of its mobile networks business.

A Bloomberg report – citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter – suggested that Nokia has explored various scenarios, including selling part or all of the division, spinning it off, or merging with a competitor. The article claimed that discussions are still in their infancy and Nokia may ultimately decide against any transaction.

The mere suggestion of such a deal had a significant impact on Nokia’s stock price, with shares surging over 7% on Thursday, trading at around $4.48 on the New York Stock Exchange. Industry analysts have speculated that Nokia’s mobile networks unit could be valued at approximately $10 billion.

As the telecoms industry continues to evolve, particularly with the ongoing rollout of 5G networks worldwide, Nokia’s mobile networks business remains a crucial player. The company has been working to streamline operations and improve competitiveness in recent years, facing stiff competition from rivals such as Ericsson and Huawei.

While Nokia’s statement appears to put the brakes on immediate speculation, industry watchers will continue to monitor the situation. Any potential sale or restructuring of Nokia’s mobile networks business could have far-reaching implications for the global telecoms landscape.

For now, Nokia seems determined to forge ahead with its current strategy; focusing on innovation and customer relationships in the mobile networks sector.

(Image by Andrew Martin)

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Tags: 4g, 5G, acquisition, connectivity, LTE, mobile, Networks, nokia, samsung, telecoms