Nokia on the evolving priorities of emerging market operators

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Vendors; 01 April 2026; 17817 views

At this year’s MWC, much of the industry conversation centred on AI, automation and the next wave of network innovation. But for Nokia, the reality facing many operators - particularly in emerging markets - is more complex.

Speaking to Developing Telecoms, Mikko Lavanti (pictured), Nokia’s SVP for Mobile Networks in the Middle East and Africa, pointed to a mix of opportunity and instability shaping operator priorities, from geopolitical tensions to infrastructure gaps and shifting technology economics.

Networks under pressure

Lavanti began by addressing the immediate backdrop of regional instability, highlighting how conflict continues to affect both people and networks.

“First of all, it’s a very challenging situation for people,” he said. “Our first priority is to make sure everybody is safe. We follow local authorities, make sure people are in shelter, and help them return to their families where possible.”

Beyond employee safety, maintaining network resilience is critical. “The second part is, of course, the customer network,” he added. “We have teams making sure networks continue to work, even though they are affected. You see things like GPS jamming and drone activity.”

While infrastructure is not always the primary target, the impact is unavoidable. “The drones are not very accurate,” he noted. “They are targeting specific assets, but sometimes hit civilian areas. So safety measures become very important.”

From risk to opportunity

Despite these challenges, Lavanti is keen to frame the broader picture as one of opportunity, particularly in emerging markets.

“I wouldn’t call them challenges,” he said. “There is a great opportunity, and the AI super cycle is resonating extremely well.”

Across the Middle East and Africa, operators are increasingly aligning with this shift. Lavanti pointed to strong interest in AI-driven networks, referencing partnerships and deployments across the ecosystem. “People understand this is a business opportunity,” he said.

At the same time, structural changes in infrastructure are reshaping the market. The expansion of subsea cables, data centres and cross-border fibre corridors is creating new demand for high-capacity, secure connectivity.

“If you look at Africa, how the sea cables are coming in, data centres are being built, and then the corridors from there,” he said. “That’s where we see a lot of interest.”

Sovereignty and the rise of “data embassies”

One of the more striking trends highlighted by Lavanti is the growing importance of data sovereignty, particularly in politically or economically volatile regions.

He points to the concept of “data embassies” as an emerging solution. “The idea is that you build a data centre with diplomatic-type rights,” he explained. “You can host another country’s data, but it retains its sovereignty.”

This model is gaining traction in parts of Africa, where neighbouring countries may lack stable infrastructure or power. “You have countries that are politically unstable or don’t have reliable electricity,” Lavanti said. “They are very interested in storing their data in a neighbouring country that is more stable.”

Such models, however, depend on trusted vendors and secure networks. Nokia is positioning itself accordingly, emphasising its role as a Western supplier with a full portfolio and strong compliance credentials.

Rethinking vendor strategy

That positioning is becoming increasingly relevant as operators reassess their supplier strategies.

“What we clearly see is that vendor balance is very important,” Lavanti said. “This week’s events have reinforced that.”

While cost remains a major factor in emerging markets, Lavanti suggests operators are becoming more aware of long-term trade-offs. “What looks good in the short term may not be good in the long term,” he said, pointing to issues around licensing, services and total cost of ownership.

Nokia’s pitch, he argues, goes beyond price. “Every dollar you spend should go into the network,” he said, highlighting the company’s focus on compliance, safety and local service capabilities. “Health and safety, ethical standards, how we work with subcontractors - these are all things customers are paying more attention to.”

Automation, but not without humans

Automation is another area where emerging market operators are making progress, though Lavanti cautions against expecting overnight transformation.

He points to a recent deployment during the Hajj pilgrimage as a clear example. “During five days, we made one million configuration changes to the network,” he said. “We achieved 30% better performance.”

However, he emphasises that technology is only part of the equation. “Automation is one thing, but you also need to bring the people and the organisation with it,” he said. “It’s not that simple to automate everything.”

The balance between automation and human oversight remains critical. “I think of it like an aeroplane,” Lavanti said. “Most landings are automated, but you still want a captain there in case something goes wrong.”

Satellite vs fibre - threat or complement?

One of the most debated topics among operators is the rise of satellite connectivity, particularly low Earth orbit services.

Lavanti acknowledges the concern. “Many operators are asking what they should do,” he said. “In some markets, these services are already present.”

However, he sees satellite more as a complement than a direct competitor. “In rural coverage, it can be a competitive product,” he said. “But in dense areas, fibre and terrestrial networks still have advantages in capacity and latency.”

In response, many operators are accelerating fibre rollouts and modernising legacy infrastructure. “We see a strong push to replace copper with fibre,” Lavanti noted. “They understand this is a long-term investment.”

AI’s immediate impact

While AI is often framed as a long-term transformation, Lavanti sees clear short-term benefits, particularly in network performance and operations.

“Operational efficiency is the first area,” he said. “Better network performance, like the 30% improvement we saw, is a very tangible result.”

Beyond that, AI is opening the door to new types of services. Lavanti points to network slicing with guaranteed service levels, as well as more advanced use cases around data-driven services.

“You used to sell minutes. Then you sold gigabytes,” he said. “But there is only one minute in a minute, one gigabyte in a gigabyte. You have to move beyond that.”

He suggests operators could monetise capabilities such as location data or fraud detection, creating new revenue streams that go beyond traditional connectivity.

The next phase of growth

Looking ahead, Lavanti believes the combination of AI, automation and high-capacity optical networks will define the next phase of telecom growth.

“The AI super cycle will drive huge demand on optical networks,” he said. “They need to be secure, efficient and scalable.”

This will also reshape traffic patterns, with more data being generated and transmitted in real time. “Traffic will become more balanced between downlink and uplink,” he noted, requiring operators to rethink how networks are designed.

For emerging markets, these shifts come alongside more fundamental challenges - expanding coverage, improving reliability and building out core infrastructure. Yet they also present a chance to leapfrog older models.

“The opportunity is there,” Lavanti said. “The question is how quickly operators can take it.”

In a landscape shaped by both risk and rapid innovation, that balance may define the next chapter of telecom growth across the developing world.