Nokia has unveiled a major investment strategy focused on strengthening its presence in the United States and accelerating the development of next-generation network technologies powered by artificial intelligence. The Finnish telecom infrastructure provider announced it will deploy $4 billion across research, development, manufacturing, and key infrastructure initiatives.
According to the company, $3.5 billion will specifically fuel R&D programs designed to advance AI-enabled network connectivity. An additional $500 million will fund production expansion and capital expenditure across multiple U.S. states, including Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Nokia already maintains a substantial footprint in North America with more than a dozen existing facilities, including its iconic Bell Labs research hub in New Jersey.
The move follows the company’s newly introduced corporate strategy that places AI-driven innovation and operational streamlining at the center of its business transformation efforts. The strategy was announced earlier in the week and aims to accelerate product modernization and improve cost efficiency.
The announcement also arrives at a time when Nokia is working to navigate economic headwinds. The firm issued a profit warning in July due to tariffs and foreign exchange challenges, as more international manufacturers consider shifting production to the U.S. to reduce exposure to trade disruptions.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb recently noted that Nokia’s strategic role in the United States was among the topics discussed during his October meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, highlighting the political and economic importance of securing resilient Western telecommunications ecosystems.
The U.S. currently does not have a large homegrown supplier of telecom network equipment, making Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung critical partners for American carriers seeking secure and competitive technologies.
Nokia’s CEO Justin Hotard, who took the helm earlier this year after a leadership role at Intel, emphasized the company’s market priorities, stating,
“Nokia’s focus for networks is on countries that value Western technology.”
By committing billions to U.S. innovation and production, Nokia is positioning itself as a key technology ally and supporting broader efforts to advance AI-centric industrial capabilities and network security in strategic global markets.
