Nokia Shanghai Bell eyes to be 'a digital bridge' amid complexities

Nokia Shanghai Bell, a joint venture of Nokia Corp and State-owned investment firm China Huaxin, eyes to be "a digital bridge" for Chinese companies going global and multinationals entering the country.

Markus Borchert, CEO of Nokia Shanghai Bell, said in an interview with China Daily that "Digital innovation is reshaping industries and redefining how countries and companies collaborate."

"For enterprises—whether multinationals entering China or Chinese companies going global—the opportunities are vast, but so are the complexities. Nokia wants to serve as a digital bridge, combining cutting-edge technology with deep local expertise and global insights," Borchert added.

From private wireless to optical networks, Nokia said it supports customers with end-to-end solutions tailored to sector-specific needs. Borchert highlighted that digital transformation goes beyond technology—it connects people, markets, and ideas to create lasting value.

"For Chinese enterprises expanding overseas, our decades-long local presence and extensive partnerships provide a critical foundation," Borchert said. A key example is Nokia's collaboration with Tencent Cloud, delivering high-performance cloud-network solutions to accelerate its expansion into Asia-Pacific markets like Singapore.

When asked about Nokia's focus between multinationals entering China and Chinese companies going abroad, Borchert noted that inbound business currently leads but expects outbound support to grow significantly in one or two years. He underscored Hong Kong's role as a strategic gateway for cross-border digital initiatives, especially for cooperation with carriers like China Mobile International to better help Chinese companies go global.

"Beyond technology, Nokia's local market knowledge helps enterprises navigate regulatory and operational challenges," Borchert said. "For instance, its joint venture with Fujian Mobile, FUNO, partnered with Chongqing-based China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co Ltd to provide pre-export cybersecurity testing for smart vehicles, aligning with international standards," he added.