Nokia To Acquire Infinera For $2.3 Billion To Expand Optical Network Business - 1

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Nokia To Acquire Infinera For $2.3 Billion To Expand Optical Network Business

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

The Finnish corporation Nokia announced the acquisition of the optical networking solutions company Infinera for $2.3 billion.

According to Reuters , Nokia wants to expand its optical network business in the United States—where Infinera is headquartered— and join the AI services boom.

“This is pretty optimal timing for a deal of this nature when you are timing it just before the market is expected to start to recover,” said Pekka Lundmark, Nokia’s CEO, in an interview with Reuters last week. “AI is driving significant investments in data centers (…) one of the key attractions of this acquisition is that it significantly increases our exposure to data centers,” added Lundmark.

Nokia has been changing its business strategies drastically for the past few years. This company, historically known for its popular mobile phones—now attractive to those looking to reduce screen time for its “dumb phone” qualities—, made big moves in the past few weeks. The Finnish firm also announced the sale of its submarine cable network to the French state for 350 million euros and is currently pivoting to the AI market with a special focus on the U.S.

According to Fortune , the Finnish firm is now focusing on network infrastructure and producing 5G antennas, and the new Infinera acquisition will allow it to reinvent itself. Despite making a big shift, Nokia will not change its name at the moment. Lundmark clarified that the company’s main goal is profitability.

“What we want to do is to accelerate our exposure to AI-driven markets,” said Lundmark in a recent interview with Fortune. “In many aspects, the future of this industry will be decided in the North American market. You have the most sophisticated carriers, all the web scalars. Big tech is very much driven by North America.”

FCC Proposes 60-Day Phone Unlocking Rule for Telcos - 2

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FCC Proposes 60-Day Phone Unlocking Rule for Telcos

  • Written by Shipra Sanganeria Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair proposed a new rule last week requiring cellular providers to unlock customers’ phones within 60 days of activation. This proposed rule aims to simplify the process for consumers to switch between wireless providers nationwide. According to existing rules, consumers, particularly postpaid users, must meet specific conditions set by their carrier to unlock a phone. These conditions often include making full payment for the device or paying an early termination fee if the contract is ended early.

The 60-day unlocking rule by the FCC aims to offer consumers greater flexibility, enhance competition in the mobile wireless marketplace, and establish similar unlocking rules for all mobile service providers.

“Real competition benefits from transparency and consistency,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel in a statement . “That is why we are proposing clear, nationwide mobile phone unlocking rules. When you buy a phone, you should have the freedom to decide when to change service to the carrier you want and not have the device you own stuck by practices that prevent you from making that choice.”

However, the regulator emphasized that the consumer’s device must be compatible with the new operator’s wireless network to switch services between operators. Additionally, carriers could impose device locking if they suspected the phone was purchased fraudulently within the 60-day period.

The FCC’s press release provides limited information about the proposed rules. The Commission is scheduled to hold an Open Meeting on July 18 to vote on the proposal and its applicability to all cellular providers.

After the meeting, FCC will also seek comment on the proposed rule and its effect on carrier incentive plans and impact on smaller providers, resellers, and new entrants.

“The proceeding would also seek comment on whether an unlocking requirement should be applied to existing contracts or future contacts,” FCC said in a statement. “It also seeks comment on the impact of a 60-day unlocking requirement in connection with service providers’ incentives to offer discounted phones for postpaid and prepaid service plans, as well as whether an unlocking requirement would benefit smaller providers, new entrants, and resellers by increasing the number of phones available on the secondary market.”