Nokia Corporation, a Finnish multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics company, has a rich history that spans over a century. Here's a comprehensive overview of Nokia's history:

  1. Early Years (1865-1960s):

    • Nokia was founded in 1865 by Fredrik Idestam as a wood pulp mill in Tampere, Finland.
    • In 1898, Nokia became a share company and expanded into electricity generation, rubber, and cable manufacturing.
    • The company ventured into telecommunications in the 1960s with the production of telegraph and telephone equipment.

  2. Transition to Mobile Phones (1970s-1990s):

    • Nokia entered the mobile telecommunications market in the early 1970s, developing radio telephones for the Finnish army and emergency services.
    • In 1981, Nokia launched the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) network, one of the world's first international cellular networks.
    • The company introduced its first handheld mobile phone, the Mobira Cityman 900, in 1987.
    • In 1992, Nokia launched the Nokia 1011, the first commercially available GSM mobile phone.
    • Throughout the 1990s, Nokia gained a dominant position in the global mobile phone market, introducing popular models like the Nokia 3210, 5110, and 3310.

  3. Mobile Phone Market Dominance (2000s):

    • Nokia reached its peak in the early 2000s, capturing a substantial market share with its innovative and user-friendly mobile phones.
    • The company introduced several groundbreaking devices, such as the Nokia 7650, which featured an integrated camera, and the Nokia 6600, which became the best-selling smartphone of its time.
    • In 2004, Nokia launched the N-Gage, a gaming-focused mobile phone, attempting to merge gaming and mobile communications. However, it faced limited success.
    • Nokia continued to innovate and diversify its product offerings, including music-focused devices like the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and the N series smartphones.

  4. Challenges and Transition (Late 2000s-Early 2010s):

    • The rise of smartphones, particularly Apple's iPhone and devices running Google's Android operating system, challenged Nokia's dominance.
    • Nokia's initial response was the Symbian operating system, but it faced criticism for its user interface and falling behind in terms of user experience.
    • In 2011, Nokia announced a partnership with Microsoft, adopting the Windows Phone platform as its primary smartphone operating system and phasing out Symbian.
    • The Lumia series, running Windows Phone, was introduced as Nokia's flagship smartphone line, featuring devices like the Lumia 800 and Lumia 920.
    • Despite the collaboration with Microsoft, Nokia struggled to regain its market share amidst intense competition from Apple and Android-powered smartphones.

  5. Microsoft Acquisition and Transformation (2014-2016):

    • In 2014, Microsoft acquired Nokia's mobile phone division, including the Lumia brand, for a significant sum. Nokia refocused on its core businesses, such as telecommunications infrastructure and services.
    • Following the acquisition, Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) became Nokia's primary focus, providing network equipment and services to telecommunications operators worldwide.
    • In 2016, Nokia announced its acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent, a telecommunications infrastructure company, further expanding its reach in the network equipment market.

  6. Reentry into the Mobile Market (2016-Present):

    • After the Microsoft acquisition, Nokia gradually started licensing its brand to third-party manufacturers, allowing them to produce Nokia-branded smartphones and feature phones.
    • In 2017, HMD Global, a Finnish