Nokia to sell private wireless business to Aurelius
Nokia is selling Enterprise Campus Edge, its private wireless and industrial edge business, to investment firm Aurelius. The divestment is another step in Nokia’s strategy to concentrate its resources on fewer areas.
Nokia has signed a definitive agreement to sell Enterprise Campus Edge (ECE) to Aurelius, according to a press release from Nokia. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
ECE supplies private wireless networks to nearly 900 customers in sectors including manufacturing, mining, logistics, airports, ports and power generation. Its portfolio also includes industrial devices, on-premises edge solutions and software for AI-based industrial applications. The aim is to let customers connect their assets and process operational data locally, without it leaving the site.
Under Aurelius’s ownership, ECE will become a standalone business. The investment firm sees opportunities to build on ECE’s position in private 5G and industrial edge, and to expand its portfolio into AI-based industrial automation.
“ECE is a strong business with differentiated technology, a talented team, a global footprint and an established customer base that includes many Fortune 500 enterprises across various industries,” said Fabian Steger, Managing Director of Aurelius Fund IV and V.
For Nokia, the sale is about where the company chooses to put its money. Earlier this month, the company announced plans to cut up to 253 positions in Finland, citing a need to redirect resources towards growth areas such as defence, AI and data centres.
“This planned transaction supports Nokia’s strategy to sharpen its portfolio and direct capital and resources to the areas where it can create the greatest long-term value,” said Konstanty Owczarek, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Nokia.
ECE’s employees are expected to transfer with the business when the deal closes, in line with local laws and following any required consultation with employee representatives. Nokia has not disclosed the purchase price, how many people ECE employs or how much revenue the business generates.