Nokia wont restart selling mobile phones. Nokia’s brand will be present on the consumer market via partners.

Nokia had their Capital Markets Day today. jiipee was following it closely and summarised this from arpopaperi.fi where Nokia CEO, Rajiv Suri says Nokia won’t be making phones again:

Nokia wont restart selling mobile phones. Nokia’s brand will be present on the consumer market via partners.

http://www.arvopaperi.fi/uutisarkisto/suri+nokia+ei+aloita+matkapuhelinten+myyntia+uudelleen/a1028784

Siilasmaa: It is difficult to make profit with Android phones. Partnership proposals will be investigated, if such exist.

According to the link above, Nokia is going to focus on Networks, staying in the position they’re in (as not a lot of growth opportunities is seen). Other such growth can be achieved through partners.

In an earlier tip, jiipee mentioned:

If they are really pushing customer products, they cannot do that without hinting it strongly during CMD and the related stock exchange release since “it could have significant impact to the stock price”. I dont mean that they would say, what are the exact products etc.

CMD is on-going http://www.media-server.com/m/p/cmnsu7ei

The release stated:”

Nokia Technologies’ strategy builds on its world-leading patent portfolio. It
will focus on patent, technology, and brand licensing as well as investment in
products and services incubation based on Nokia’s innovation. ”

And: “- Nokia expects Nokia Technologies’ non-IFRS operating expenses to increase
meaningfully on a year-on-year basis for the full year 2015, related to higher
investments in licensing activities, development of licensable technologies,
and business enablers including go-to-market capabilities. ”

Brand licensing is interesting: they might plan to sell rights to use Nokia brand. Could also relate only to MS using Nokia name on low-end devices.

The latter “go-to-market” could mean that they are setting up sales channels and capabilities to sell – potentially also consumer hw. Suri mentioned Z launcher quite early in his speech, which is a good indicator that he still gives some importance to consumer services/hw. The release emphasizes B2B mostly.

Cheers jiipee for the tip!

Category: Nokia