EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
NOKIA : AN EARLY TECH INNOVATOR
In the late 1800s , mining engineer Fredrik Idestam set up a wood pulp mill in southwest Finland . When he opened a second mill near the Nokianvirta river , he was inspired to name his company ‘ Nokia ’.
In 1967 Nokia Ab merged with Finnish Cable Works and Finnish Rubber , to form Nokia . In the late seventies Nokia created Mobira Oy , a radio telephone company as a joint venture with leading Finnish TV maker Salora .
1981 marked the launch of the Nordic Mobile Telephone service , the world ’ s first international cellular network , and the first to allow international roaming . A year later Nokia introduced the first car phone – the Mobira Senator – to the network
In 1984 Nokia launched an upgrade – the Mobira Talkman portable car phone .
Three years later in 1987 Nokia introduced the Mobira Cityman , the first handheld mobile phone . Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was famously pictured using one in Helsinki to call his communications minister in Moscow .
In 1992 , Nokia launched the Nokia 1011 , the first digital handheld GSM phone . The company then decided to focus on mobile phones and telecommunications , selling off its rubber , cable and consumer electronics divisions .
In 1994 , Nokia launched the 2100 series , the first phones to feature the Nokia Tune ringtone . Twenty million of these phones were sold worldwide , surpassing Nokia ’ s target of 400,000 .
Leading up to 2001 Nokia released the first phones capable of web-based functions like email and providing ringtones . In 2001 Nokia launched the first phone with a built-in camera , the Nokia 7650 .
In 2024 Nokia continues to be a multinational telecommunications leader , providing advanced smartphones and IT solutions . The modern smartphones we know today , grew from a historic foundation of innovation created by Nokia .