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How Nokia earns Rs 15000 crore without manufacturing phones
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News18•14-10-2026, 12:48
How Nokia earns Rs 15000 crore without manufacturing phones
- •After losing its dominance in the smartphone market, Nokia transformed from a phone manufacturer into a technology licensing powerhouse.
- •Nokia safeguarded over 20,000 patents related to 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, and video technologies over 30 years.
- •Major smartphone brands like Apple and Samsung pay licensing fees to Nokia for using its essential patented technologies in their devices.
- •Without directly manufacturing a single smartphone, Nokia quietly generates around Rs 15,000 crores annually solely through patent licensing.
- •Nokia has fully shifted to the B2B sector, providing 5G towers, fiber optic equipment, and network infrastructure to telecom companies.
Key Questions Answered
Nokia earns approximately Rs. 15,000 crores annually by licensing its portfolio of over 20,000 patents covering 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, and video technologies to major smartphone and automotive companies.
Since 2016, the Finnish company HMD Global acquired the license to manufacture and sell phones under the Nokia brand name, though it has recently scaled down Nokia-branded smartphones in favor of its own brand.
Nokia has completely shifted its focus to the B2B sector, providing 5G towers, fiber optic equipment, and network services to telecommunications companies like Airtel.
