Nokia, a Finland-based telecoms equipment maker, plans to cut most of its mainland China workforce and close sites in stages by the end of 2026, according to a report.

The move would mark a pullback after the company lost ground to domestic rivals.

The report said Nokia told staff about the plan in an internal video conference from Helsinki earlier in August.

Layoffs would affect teams in its Mobile Networks and Network Infrastructure businesses in stages, while only after-sales services would remain in mainland China.

The number of affected employees was unclear. Nokia had about 7,200 employees across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at the end of 2025, according to the company’s annual report.

The move also fits a broader restructuring.

After taking full ownership of Nokia Shanghai Bell in the fourth quarter of 2025, Nokia said it expected about 200 million euros (US$232 million) in cost savings, with integration costs of about 350 million euros (US$405 million) to 400 million euros (US$463 million) over 24 to 36 months.

A separate report said about 350 million euros (US$405 million) in 2026 charges were tied to the China restructuring.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

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