We are planning to dramatically increase our investment in 5G this year:Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri

NEW DELHI: Finland-based telecom equipment manufacturer Nokia  today outlined its approach as a renewed company for leading the development of next-generation 5G technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), targeting an addressable market opportunity that has nearly doubled in size following the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent.

As part of its approach, delivered on the eve of Mobile World Congress, Nokia unveiled a series of announcements - from new 5G and IoT investments to a new 5G-ready product - that underscore the company's deep expertise in developing the technologies of tomorrow.

"We are planning to dramatically increase our investment in 5G this year and unleash the power of our massive innovation engine," Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri told a media and analyst briefing.

Suri announced a new 5G-ready AirScale radio access product to replace the very popular Flexi base station; Nokia's acquisition of Nakina, a Canadian software company that specializes in preventing, identifying and eliminating security threats; and the company's launch of a USD350 million IoT investment fund through Nokia's private venture firm, Nokia Growth Partners.

"We are already at the forefront of making 5G a reality and enabling massive capacity and massive connectivity - this is an integral part of our vision," Suri said.

"5G must happen fast because important IoT use cases demand it. If we know that 5G can help save lives, improve our environment, and make our lives better, we need to move faster, not slower, Suri said.

With Nokia's announcements today, Nokia is taking concrete steps to solidify its 5G leadership and demonstrate how it will drive the business forward, he added.

Alcatel-Lucent brings scale, scope

"Progress with integrating Alcatel-Lucent is going smoothly and effectively, avoiding the organizational angst and infighting that have characterized earlier deals," Suri said.

He added that the combined company is targeting many different cross-selling opportunities and making joint bids to customers around the world. These opportunities are all part of the critical scope that Alcatel-Lucent has given Nokia, Suri said, in addition to greater innovation heft, scale and customer reach.

"When you put Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent together, suddenly Nokia is in a dramatically different position with an addressable market that balloons to EUR141 billion. What we will be able to offer our customers - and their customers - is, simply, unparalleled," said Suri.

Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent had combined net sales at the end of 2015 of EUR 26.6 billion, combined R&D spend of EUR 4.5 billion in 2015 with over 40 000 researchers and scientists, and combined net cash of EUR 10 billion. The official "day one" for joint Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent operations was on January 14, 2016.

Ready for 5G and IoT

Nokia's new 5G-ready AirScale product supports any technology, from 2G through LTE Advance Pro and 5G when it arrives. It also includes a new base station with future-ready baseband and next generation RF elements that will give customers a connectivity experience that exceeds all others. AirScale also uses 60% less energy than the Flexi.

The Nakina acquisition, expected to close in the first quarter 2016, is part of a Nokia priority to have the best network security in place to enable 5G and IoT. The acquisition is consistent with Nokia's long-stated view to do small, 'bolt on' deals that give Nokia new technology and unique capabilities.

The new IoT fund will invest in promising companies primarily around the Connected Enterprise, Consumer IoT, Connected Car, Digital Health as well as technologies with a focus on capabilities in big data and analytics. The fund will support Nokia in defining future business opportunities and the technical underpinnings for the rapidly growing IoT market.

At MWC in Barcelona this coming week, Nokia will give its perspective on a variety of important issues, including presentations by Mobile Networks' CTO Hossein Moiin on 5G and how Nokia is creating value for industry verticals; and by Nokia Chief Strategy Officer Kathrin Buvac who will discuss strategy and growth and the inclusion of women in the technology industry.

Visitors to Nokia's Experience Center in Hall 3, stand 3B and 3D can have a hands-on demonstration of OZO, Nokia Technologies' commercially available professional virtual reality camera that was launched to wide acclaim in July, 2015. Sign up here to receive daily MWC updates from Nokia.