Nokia plans to invest
€360 million in software, hardware and chip design at its Ulm and Nuremberg
sites, the company announced in a statement today. Nokia is conducting a four-year European
IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) project, which is being
funded by Nokia and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate
Protection (BMWK) and the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
The
statement said “The project will focus on
the integrated development of software, hardware and high-performance
systems-on-chips based on a digital twin. These will be used in radio and
optical products in future mobile communications systems based on the
5G-Advanced and 6G standards.”
“Nokia is further expanding its extensive experience in
chip design and strengthening the European value chain. Another focus area is
on the energy efficiency of the systems to support European climate targets
under the Green Deal. Nokia is closely cooperating with research institutes and
universities to achieve this. This cooperation will be strengthened by the
long-term IPCEI investment and funding,” it added.
It disclosed that the
new move is an important milestone not only for Nokia but also for the future
of the telecommunications industry in Germany and Europe, adding that the
project is expected to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and innovative
power, especially in the field of microelectronics for future technologies such
as 6G and artificial intelligence (AI), enable complex applications for the
metaverse, for example, and advance digitalization.
“The microelectronics systems developed as part of the
project will help to make networks more energy-efficient and more powerful at
the same time,” it stated.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile
Networks at Nokia, said: "This
important funding will support our efforts to advance the telecommunications
industry in Germany and in Europe, helping to drive innovation and strengthen
competitiveness. In particular, it will help our research into microelectronics
that will power future technologies such as 6G, artificial intelligence and the
metaverse as well as develop networks that are more energy-efficient and
powerful. Germany is an important market for Nokia, and we look forward to
working with the government to produce cutting-edge technology that is 'Made in
Germany'."