Nokia Merges Mobile, Fixed Network Groups as Another Exec Is Shown the Door

Nokia is creating a new Access Networks organization that will include its fixed and mobile network operations. The move is the latest Nokia corporate restructuring intended to better align its operations to win 5G contracts against rivals such as Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE, and Samsung. The new Access Networks organization will launch Jan. 1 and include Nokia’s current Mobile Networks and Fixed Networks Business Groups. Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri said the move will improve the company’s “customer focus, simplify our management structure, and more efficiently leverage our full portfolio.” The Mobile Networks group will also get a new leader as company veteran Tommi Uitto will immediately replace current group head Marc Rouanne. Uitto has been at Nokia for 23 years, with his most recent role as leading product sales for the Mobile Networks group. The Fixed Networks Business Group will also receive new leadership at some point. Federico Guillén is currently head of that group but was recently named president of Customer Operations for Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia. He will assume that role on Jan. 1. Both Uitto and the new head of the Fixed Networks Business Group will report into an also to-be-named president of the Access Networks group. Rouanne’s departure is similar – though more immediate – to that of Nokia’s current Customer Operations leader Ashish Chowdhary who is set to leave at year-end. That shuffle was announced earlier this month as part of Nokia splitting up that group along a pair of geographical lines, with Guillén leading EMEA and Asia regions and Ricky Corker running the North America region.