History of Nokia

A timeline that shows Nokia History.

1865

    Founding of Nokia

  • Nokia was founded in 1865 as a pulp mill in the town of Tampere, Finland, by mining engineer Fredrik Idestam. The company was named Nokia after the nearby Nokianvirta river. Nokia initially produced paper products, including toilet paper, until it diversified into rubber products in the early 1900s.

1898

    Nokia Corporation established

  • In 1898, Nokia Corporation was established as a merger of Nokia AB and Finnish Rubber Works. The company expanded into electricity generation and cable production in the early 1900s, and also produced footwear, tires, and other rubber products.

1912

    First Nokia mobile phone

  • Nokia's first mobile phone was a car phone, called the Mobira Senator, introduced in 1982. Prior to this, Nokia had been involved in radio communication technology since the 1960s, and had developed mobile radio phones for the Finnish army in the 1970s.

1960

    First international telecommunications contract

  • In 1960, Nokia signed its first international telecommunications contract with the Soviet Union, supplying radio equipment for the country's first public mobile phone network. Nokia continued to expand its telecommunications business throughout the 1960s and 1970s, introducing its first digital switch in 1979.

1962

    Nokia's first electronics division

  • In 1962, Nokia established its first electronics division to develop radio communication technology, and in 1963, it began producing telecommunications equipment, including radio transmitters and switching systems. Nokia continued to expand its telecommunications business throughout the 1960s and 1970s, introducing its first digital switch in 1979.

1967

    Nokia acquires Finnish cable works and becomes a conglomerate

  • In 1967, Nokia acquired Finnish Cable Works, a company that manufactured cables for power and telecommunications. This acquisition marked a significant expansion of Nokia's operations beyond the electronics industry, and the company became a diversified conglomerate with interests in a wide range of sectors.

1979

    Nokia develops the first digital telephone exchange

  • Nokia made a major breakthrough in telecommunications in 1979 with the development of the Nokia DX200, the world's first digital telephone exchange. This was a significant step forward in the industry, as digital exchanges provided improved voice quality and reduced the cost of long-distance calls.

1982

    Nokia introduces the first car phone

  • In 1982, Nokia introduced the Mobira Senator, the world's first car phone. It was a large and expensive device, but it marked a significant step forward in mobile communications. The Mobira Senator was primarily designed for use by executives and government officials, but it paved the way for Nokia's later success in the mobile phone market.

1984

    First transportable phone

  • Nokia introduces the Mobira Talkman, the first transportable phone.

1987

    Nokia's first GSM phone

  • Nokia introduces the Mobira Cityman 900, its first GSM phone.

1992

    Nokia's first digital handheld GSM phone

  • Nokia introduces the 1011, its first digital handheld GSM phone.

1994

    Nokia's first satellite call

  • Nokia makes its first satellite call using a Nokia GSM handset.

1998

    Nokia becomes the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer

  • Nokia becomes the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer with a 30% global market share.

2002

    First 3G phone

  • Nokia introduces the Nokia 6650, its first 3G phone.

2007

    Launch of the Nokia N95

  • Nokia launches the N95, a high-end smartphone featuring a 5 megapixel camera, GPS, and Wi-Fi.

2011

    Nokia's partnership with Microsoft

  • Nokia announces a partnership with Microsoft to use the Windows Phone operating system on its smartphones.

2014

    Nokia's devices and services business sold to Microsoft

  • Nokia sells its devices and services business to Microsoft for $7.2 billion.

2016

    Acquisition of Withings

  • Nokia acquires Withings, a French technology company that specializes in digital health products.

2017

    Relaunch of Nokia smartphones

  • HMD Global, a Finnish company, obtains the rights to use the Nokia brand for its smartphones and launches a range of Nokia-branded smartphones.