Nokia's AI and cloud networking sales lift quarterly profit above forecasts
Nokia reported third-quarter net sales of €5.154 billion, up 10% from a year earlier, and a comparable operating margin of 11.7%. Revenue from AI and cloud customers more than doubled, while orders from that segment reached €1.5 billion. The company kept its 2026 profit outlook and said integration of Infinera is ahead of schedule.
Nokia’s quarter showed growth concentrated in data-center networking rather than legacy telecom equipment. Net sales reached €5.154 billion, 10% higher year over year on a reported basis and 9% on a comparable basis, while the comparable operating margin rose 2.2 percentage points to 11.7%.
The Network Infrastructure unit posted 15% comparable growth, helped by 43% growth in IP Networks and 18% in Optical Networks. Nokia also said its Infinera integration should finish before the end of 2026, adding optical and data-center interconnect capabilities.
Nokia’s stronger data-center sales may reinforce the buildout of AI infrastructure, potentially affecting cloud providers, telecom operators, and businesses that rely on faster networks. Consumers could see improved connectivity and new AI-enabled services, though benefits may depend on operator investment and pricing. The company’s shift away from traditional telecom customers may also influence employment and supplier relationships in the networking sector, but those effects remain uncertain.