Nokia on the Evolving Priorities of Emerging Market Operators

Key Takeaways

• Conflict disrupts networks; safety and resilience prioritized
• AI drives 30% performance gains, spurring operator interest
• Data embassies address sovereignty in unstable regions
• Operators favor fiber over satellite for capacity, latency
• Vendor balance and compliance become long‑term cost factors

Summary

At Mobile World Congress Nokia’s SVP for the Middle East and Africa, Mikko Lavanti, highlighted the dual reality facing emerging‑market operators: conflict‑driven network disruptions and a surge of infrastructure investment. He emphasized AI’s immediate impact, citing a 30% performance boost during a recent Hajj deployment, and noted growing interest in AI‑driven services and data‑sovereignty solutions such as “data embassies.” Lavanti also stressed the importance of vendor balance, compliance and long‑term total cost of ownership as operators weigh fibre expansion against satellite complementarity.

Pulse Analysis

At Mobile World Congress, Nokia’s senior vice‑president for the Middle East and Africa, Mikko Lavanti, painted a nuanced picture of emerging‑market operators. While geopolitical unrest and drone‑induced GPS interference threaten network continuity, Nokia emphasizes safety protocols and rapid restoration teams to keep services alive. Simultaneously, the rollout of subsea cables, new data centres, and cross‑border fibre corridors is unlocking demand for high‑capacity, resilient backhaul. By positioning itself as a Western supplier with robust compliance credentials, Nokia aims to capture the infrastructure spend that governments and carriers are channeling into modernising legacy networks.

The conversation is increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and automation. Lavanti cited a recent Hajj deployment where one million configuration changes delivered a 30 % uplift in performance, illustrating AI’s immediate operational payoff. Beyond efficiency, AI enables network slicing, location‑based services and fraud detection, opening fresh revenue streams beyond voice and data. Nokia also highlighted “data embassies”—data‑centre facilities granted diplomatic‑type rights—to satisfy sovereignty concerns in politically volatile states. Operators are re‑evaluating vendor portfolios, favouring partners that combine cost‑effectiveness with long‑term total‑ownership considerations such as licensing, safety and ethical standards.

Low‑Earth‑orbit satellite constellations are gaining traction in remote areas, yet Lavanti stresses they complement rather than replace terrestrial fibre. Dense urban markets continue to demand the capacity and latency advantages of optical networks, especially as the AI super‑cycle drives exponential traffic growth. This dual‑track approach forces carriers to balance capital expenditures between expanding fibre footprints and integrating satellite back‑haul where needed. For investors, the shift signals a surge in demand for high‑speed optical equipment, AI‑driven network management tools, and sovereign‑grade data‑centre services—segments where Nokia and similar vendors stand to benefit from sustained, multi‑year contracts.