Nokia Behind the Scenes: This Is How the Finnish Telecommunications Giant Affects Our Lives in Israel

Advanced communication systems have become an essential component of Israel's infrastructure, according to Tamar Oster, Regional Sales Director, Cloud and Network Services for Israel & the Balkans at Nokia. The company's communication solutions play a pivotal role in Israel's rapid communications revolution.

"Israel Railways and the light rail systems in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem use advanced communication systems that ensure precise travel timing and signaling. The automation of seaports also relies on fast and reliable communication; after all, we don't want an automatic crane to malfunction at a critical moment. Nokia specializes in critical communication systems, ranging from communication and cloud infrastructures for cellular and Internet companies to communication systems for the energy and security sectors, among others," she explained.

In the early 2000s, Nokia was most well known as a cellular phone manufacturer, but this was just one facet of its operations, which were sold to Microsoft in 2014. Today, it is much more than that.

"Nokia is a Finnish multinational company specializing in the development of end-to-end communications and cloud technologies, both cellular and fixed, for national and corporate, domestic and international applications," said Oster. "In fact, the first cellular call using second-generation GSM technology was made on Nokia's infrastructure, encompassing both network and devices. But our scope extends far beyond cellular. Today, Nokia focuses on software and hardware development, core cloud solutions, and radio sites for cellular and fiber optic communications—from the Internet level to private homes, underwater infrastructure, IP routers for national infrastructures, analytics systems, monetization, information security for critical communication infrastructures, and more."

Advanced infrastructure for communication networks
Nokia's advanced infrastructure for communication networks spans 80 countries worldwide. In Israel, the company's branch, led by CEO Aric Tal, is headquartered in Kfar Saba and employs approximately 150 people across two primary divisions: the Go-to-Market Group, responsible for local market operations, and the Development Group, which contributes to Nokia's global development initiatives.

Tamar Oster highlights the ubiquity of Nokia's technology in Israel's digital landscape: "Whether you're accessing this article on your home computer, business device or mobile phone, there's a high probability that it reached you by Nokia-built infrastructure used by major providers such as Bezeq, Cellcom, HOT, and the IBC fiber-optic infrastructure company." She further emphasized Nokia's critical role in securing data transmission between the computer centers of financial and medical institutions.

Nokia's reach extends to Israel's global connectivity, with two of the three companies linking Israel to the world through fiber optics relying on Nokia technology. The company's portfolio includes the manufacture and deployment of advanced 4G and 5G communication networks in collaboration with cellular and various communications companies in Israel. Additionally, Nokia provides equipment enabling the deployment of fiber technology in homes. Oster concluded by noting that "a significant portion of communication traffic in Israel flows through Nokia equipment," underscoring the company's integral role in the country's telecommunications infrastructure.

What does the range of solutions offered by Nokia look like today?
"We specialize in providing cutting-edge data transmission infrastructure for communication networks, together with a comprehensive suite of associated solutions and applications. These include push-to-talk and push-to-video applications, analytics solutions, charging systems, geographic information systems, and command and control solutions. Nokia's expertise extends to managing end-to-end communication networks across wired and cellular platforms, as well as underwater cable systems."

What about the rise in cyber threats?
"Critical networks are inherently vulnerable to cyberattacks, and we're witnessing numerous attempts to compromise infrastructure globally," the representative noted. To counter these threats, Nokia invests substantially in protective measures for these systems, including advanced defense solutions that leverage artificial intelligence."

How has the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to remote work affected the field of communications infrastructure?
"The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent shift to remote work have underscored the critical importance of robust communication infrastructure. From the outset of the pandemic, there was an immediate surge in demand for communication solutions from both the public and institutions. Israel's prior investments in communication infrastructure proved beneficial during this crisis, enabling a relatively smooth transition to remote learning and work environments, although there's always room for improvement., The conflict that began on October 7 has unfortunately further emphasized the vital nature of communication, elevating it to a status comparable to essential resources. almost like food and water. Investment in fast, reliable national communications infrastructure to ensure resilience in times of crisis is critical."

Outline your vision for future technology
Tamar Oster notes that 30% of Nokia employees worldwide are developers, a significant proportion. "We invest heavily in future technologies and the development of new products and solutions. Nokia currently owns Bell Labs, the most prestigious research institution in the communication world, whose researchers have won ten Nobel Prizes and numerous other prestigious awards. These accolades, reflecting extensive research, eventually translate into development and production and end up in the hands of various users."

Investment in human capital in Israel
Regarding the staff in Israel, Oster explains: "We recruit many recent university graduates as well as experienced professionals, particularly developers, communication engineers, and headquarters staff. Some of our employees are engaged in customer service, where immediate action is crucial given the critical nature of the networks we support. Additionally, we have extensive sales activities. A key focus of our work is technology, helping clients define their future needs. When a customer issues a tender, they seek not the existing technology but the technology that will be relevant in three to five years."

Promoting women's representation
"Women already hold various key positions at Nokia, including very senior ones. We continue to strive for increased diversity while promoting employees strictly based on their qualifications. Last year, I founded a group to support and empower women in sales positions across Europe. The goal is to bring together all the saleswomen on the continent for information sharing and joint activities. At Nokia, women stand out and reach senior positions, just like men."

Vision for Nokia in Israel
"Nokia is a fascinating company," Oster said. "Our work is highly innovative and interesting, thanks in part to the diverse cultures within the company. Nokia is very attentive to market trends and changes and leads them. As a 150-year-old company, our extensive experience benefits our customers. We are both a very old company and a highly innovative and evolving one. Nokia strives to maintain and constantly develop the ecosystem, working together with competitors to create the best possible communications experience for our customers and theirs. Our decades-long leadership in national communications underscores Nokia's strength. It is very exciting to see our contribution to the establishment of national infrastructures in Israel."

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