Nokia is holding its Capital Markets Day 2025 [November 19th] and has announced its strategy to position itself to “lead in the AI-driven transformation of networks and capture the value of the AI supercycle”.

Nokia also announced a 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 €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 (pictured), 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 reorganise 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 reorganisation will take effect as of January 1st 2026.

The reorganisation recognises Network Infrastructure as a growth segment, positioned to capitalise 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 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 January 1st 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 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 €0.9 billion with an operating loss of €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 defence 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 €2.7 billion to €3.2 billion by 2028, an increase from the €2 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 per cent and free cash flow conversion from comparable operating profit of 55 per cent to 85 per cent.

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 per cent 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 per cent to 17 per cent by 2028
• Mobile Infrastructure gross margin: 48-50 per cent by 2028
• Mobile Infrastructure operating profit: Grow from a base of  €1.5 billion
• Group Common and Other operating expenses: €150 million operating expenses down from the current €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 per cent and 75 per cent.

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.

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.

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Tags: hotard, Nokia