Nokia to offload 17,000 workers by 2013 as it restructures with mobile broadband focus
Nokia Siemens has announced a strategy to focus on mobile broadband and services as it begins a global restructure.
The networks of Nokia Siemens will now target end-to-end mobile networks and services, with an emphasis placed directly on mobile broadband.
"We believe that the future of our industry is in mobile broadband and services - and we aim to be an undisputed leader in these areas," said Rajeev Suri, chief executive officer of Nokia Siemens Networks. "At the same time, we need to take the necessary steps to maintain long term competitiveness and improve profitability in a challenging telecommunications market."
Suri continued: "Our goal is to provide the world's most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services capability to make it all work seamlessly. Despite the need to restructure parts of our company, our commitment to research and development remains unchanged, with investment in mobile broadband expected to increase over the coming years."
The network will see the business now focus on mobile broadband, customer experience management and services, with priorities placed on quality and innovation.
The restructure will see the company aim to reduce its overheads by €1 billion by 2013, mainly from organisational streamlining, through a global workforce reduction of 17,000 by the end of that same year and will see a transfer of activities to global delivery centres in a bid to deliver efficiencies.
"As we look towards the prospect of an independent future, we need to take action now to improve our profitability and cash generation," added Suri. "These planned reductions are regrettable but necessary - and it is our goal to make them in a fair and responsible way, providing the support we can to employees and communities."