Nokia opens new research and development center in Saudi Arabia to accelerate AI-powered network automation

Nokia (NYSE:NOK) has opened its first research and development center in Saudi Arabia, located in Riyadh and focused on AI-powered network automation and orchestration software.

Rhea-AI Summary

Nokia (NYSE:NOK) has opened its first research and development center in Saudi Arabia, located in Riyadh and focused on AI-powered network automation and orchestration software. The center will work on Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps to help communications networks self-configure, self-heal, optimize performance, cut energy use and operate more autonomously.

According to Nokia, the R&D hub supports Saudi Vision 2030 by creating high-value engineering roles, training and certifications for Saudi talent, exploring AI-native 6G technologies, and exporting “Made in Saudi” software innovations to customers worldwide.

Argus Sep 1 session 1 alert

-2.17% close to close 1.0x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – NOK

$55.87B Mkt Cap at Peak Alert

On Sep 1, the day this news came out, NOK closed 2.17% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Sep 1 session.

Key Figures

Saudi Vision: 2030 6G technologies: 6G

Saudi Vision

2030

Saudi national development agenda

6G technologies

6G

AI-native technologies under exploration

Historical Context

4 past events · Latest: Aug 27

4 events

1. Aug 27

   Treasury share transfer

   24h Move

   +1.6%

   Treasury shares transferred to equity-plan participants; NOK gained 1.63%

2. Aug 19

   Portfolio competitiveness ranking

   24h Move

   -2.5%

   Omdia ranked Nokia first in mobile core portfolio competitiveness; NOK fell 2.55%

3. Aug 14

   Manager share acquisition

   24h Move

   +2.0%

   Louise Fisk acquired 262 Nokia shares; NOK gained 1.99%

4. Aug 14

   Manager share acquisition

   24h Move

   +2.0%

   Victoria Hanrahan acquired six Nokia shares; NOK gained 1.99%

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

service management and orchestration, self-organizing networks

2 terms

service management and orchestration technical

"The center will advance AI-powered service management and orchestration (SMO)"

A set of software tools and processes that automate creation, deployment, configuration, monitoring and lifecycle control of digital services—often across cloud, telecom networks and virtualized infrastructure. It is like a conductor and stage crew for complex IT services: the conductor coordinates which components run when and the crew makes sure each piece is configured, patched and monitored. Investors care because it affects how quickly a company can launch services, control costs and scale reliably.

self-organizing networks technical

"Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps"

A self-organizing network is a communications system that automatically configures, optimizes and repairs itself with minimal human intervention, using software algorithms to adjust settings, balance traffic and recover from faults. For investors, it matters because these networks can lower operating costs, speed deployments and improve service reliability for telecom providers and equipment makers, affecting revenue, margins and competitive position much like automation improves efficiency in a factory.

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Nokia opens new research and development center in Saudi Arabia to accelerate AI-powered network automation 

• Nokia's first research and development center in Saudi Arabia will develop AI-powered network automation and orchestration software for customers in Saudi Arabia and around the world.
• The center will advance AI-powered service management and orchestration (SMO), Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps to help communications networks operate more autonomously, efficiently and sustainably.
• The investment supports Saudi Vision 2030 by developing local AI and software talent while creating exportable “Made in Saudi” technology. 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Nokia today announced the opening of its new research and development center in Riyadh, focused on developing AI-powered network automation software. The center will create software that enables communications networks to self-configure, self-heal, optimize performance, reduce energy consumption and operate with greater autonomy.

The center will specialize in Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps for automation and energy efficiency. Its teams will develop AI-driven capabilities for communications service providers and enterprises in Saudi Arabia, while exploring the development of AI-native 6G technologies, and contributing “Made in Saudi” software innovations for Nokia customers worldwide.

The launch follows an agreement announced earlier this year between His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia and Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard. The collaboration reflects the Kingdom's ambitions under Saudi Vision 2030 to build a leading economy powered by innovation, local talent and advanced research capabilities.

Aligned with the Kingdom's digital transformation agenda, the center will create high-value engineering and research roles while offering advanced training programs, boot camps, and AI and automation certifications for Saudi talent. The initiative supports national objectives to build local expertise, strengthen innovation capacity and increase the country's contribution to the global technology ecosystem.

“The opening of Nokia’s new research and development center represents a strategic step toward strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for intelligent network technology innovation and reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge and innovation-driven digital economy. The center will contribute to localizing advanced research and development capabilities, developing national talent in AI and software, and creating technologies made in Saudi Arabia that can serve global markets,” said Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in Saudi Arabia.

“AI is reshaping every industry, and networks are the critical infrastructure that will make that transformation possible. Our new R&D center in Riyadh will bring Nokia’s global expertise together with Saudi talent to develop AI-powered automation that makes networks more autonomous, efficient and responsive. It also strengthens the Kingdom’s role in creating connectivity innovation for customers in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” commented Mikko Lavanti, President of Nokia’s Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Nokia.
  
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About Nokia 
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity infrastructure powering the AI supercycle. We create the networks that connect intelligence, combining a complete connectivity view across fixed, mobile, IP, optical, core and data center networks. Through secure-by-design, AI-native innovation, Nokia delivers the trusted infrastructure that makes AI work at scale and advances connectivity to secure a brighter world.

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FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Nokia (NOK) announce about its new R&D center in Saudi Arabia on September 1, 2026?

Nokia announced the opening of a new R&D center in Riyadh focused on AI-powered network automation software. According to Nokia, the center will develop SMO, SON, Autopilot and rApps solutions to make communications networks more autonomous, efficient, and energy-efficient for customers in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.

What technologies will Nokia’s (NOK) Saudi Arabia R&D center focus on developing?

Nokia’s Saudi R&D center will focus on AI-powered Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps. According to Nokia, these technologies aim to enable networks that self-configure, self-heal, optimize performance, reduce energy consumption and operate with higher levels of autonomy for service providers and enterprises.

How does Nokia’s (NOK) new Riyadh R&D center support Saudi Vision 2030?

The new Riyadh R&D center supports Saudi Vision 2030 by developing local AI and software talent and creating exportable “Made in Saudi” technology. According to Nokia, it will generate high-value engineering roles, offer advanced training, boot camps and certifications, and strengthen the Kingdom’s innovation capacity and digital economy ambitions.

Will Nokia’s (NOK) Saudi R&D center work on AI-native 6G network technologies?

Yes, Nokia’s Saudi R&D center will explore AI-native 6G technologies alongside current network automation solutions. According to Nokia, the teams will develop AI-driven capabilities for communications service providers and enterprises in Saudi Arabia while contributing advanced software innovations for future 6G-ready networks to customers around the world.

What benefits does Nokia (NOK) expect its Riyadh R&D center to bring to network operators?

Nokia expects the Riyadh R&D center to deliver software that makes networks more autonomous, efficient and responsive. According to Nokia, its AI-powered automation will help networks self-configure, self-heal, optimize performance and reduce energy usage, supporting communications service providers and enterprises in Saudi Arabia and in global markets.