Nokia Denies Plans to Return to Manufacturing Phones

Nokia does not want to make cell phones, or sell phones, according to the latest reports.

Various outlets in the Chinese media indicated Nokia was planning to produce mobile handsets once again out of their P&D facility, but an official statement from the Finnish firm struck that down. It bluntly stated on their website that the reports are false, and the comments included were falsely attributed to a Nokia Networks executive.

While they may not be getting back into making phones just yet, many of their statements seem to suggest they are leaving the door open for it.

"It would be crazy not to look at that opportunity. Of course we will look at it," said Sebastian Nystrom, the head of products at Nokia's Technologies unit back in November.

Under their agreement with Microsoft, Nokia will not enter the mobile phone business until 2016. Nokia did however say it is looking to return to the smartphone business via brand-licensing. They sold their phone business to Microsoft in 2014, but shortly after launched a brand-licensed tablet computer produced by Foxconn of Taiwan.

Part of their official statement read, “After the pending acquisition announced on September 3, 2013 of substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business by Microsoft is closed, Nokia will retain its world-leading patent portfolio and Nokia’s previous FRAND undertakings remain in force. In addition to other customary closing conditions, the transaction with Microsoft is subject to regulatory approvals, a process which has involved thorough review of Nokia’s licensing practices by several competition authorities around the world.”

Nokia has been very active lately, as they announced a takeover this month of France's Alcatel-Lucent, a bid to boost its mainstay network equipment business. The acquisition may also be able to jump start its map business, which has reportedly drawn interest from carmakers, Facebook, and online taxi service Uber.

Nokia employs over 60,000 people worldwide across 120 countries, and has a reported annual revenue of over $13 billion.

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