NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS ITALIA SPA

Their core work

Nokia Solutions and Networks Italia is the Italian R&D arm of Nokia's network infrastructure division, focused on advanced telecommunications — particularly 5G and beyond-5G radio technologies operating in the D-band (above 100 GHz) and optical interconnects. They contribute radio frequency engineering, network architecture design, and wireless communication expertise to large European research consortia. Their work spans from fundamental materials research (graphene for electronics and photonics) to applied 5G deployment for sectors like railways and aviation.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), Nokia Italy focused on foundational research: graphene materials science through the Flagship programme and optical/radio hardware for next-generation networks (Teraboard, METRO-HAUL). From 2020 onward, their work shifted decisively toward applied 5G deployment in vertical industries — railways (5GRAIL), aviation (FACT) — while maintaining their graphene involvement through the pilot line phase. The trajectory is clear: from lab-stage materials and components toward real-world 5G system integration in transport sectors.

Nokia Italy is moving from radio hardware R&D toward 5G system integration for transport verticals (rail, aviation), making them a strong partner for projects applying wireless connectivity to critical infrastructure.

How they like to work

Nokia Italy operates exclusively as a participant or third party — never as coordinator — which is typical for a national subsidiary of a multinational contributing specialized technical capabilities to consortia led by others. With 310 unique partners across 24 countries, they function as a well-connected specialist node rather than a project driver. Their large partner network and involvement in flagship-scale projects (Graphene Flagship had 150+ partners) means they are experienced working in very large, complex consortia.

With 310 consortium partners across 24 countries, Nokia Italy has one of the broadest collaboration networks in the dataset — largely driven by participation in the massive Graphene Flagship. Their reach is pan-European with no visible geographic bias beyond the Flagship's Western European core.

What sets them apart

Nokia Italy bridges two worlds that rarely overlap: advanced materials (graphene for electronics/photonics) and applied wireless system engineering (D-band radio, 5G-FRMCS). This dual competence means they can contribute from component-level innovation through to network-level integration. For consortium builders, they bring the credibility of a global telecom brand combined with hands-on R&D participation — not just a name on the paper, but a team that has worked across the full Graphene Flagship lifecycle and multiple 5G system projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DRAGON
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 958,125) — focused on D-band 5G radio transceivers, antenna arrays, and beam steering, representing Nokia Italy's core technical strength.
• GrapheneCore2
  Second-largest funding (EUR 442,500) within the Graphene Flagship, covering a remarkably broad scope: composites, energy, electronics, photonics, sensors, and biomedical applications.
• 5GRAIL
  Represents Nokia's strategic pivot into 5G for railways — replacing GSM-R with FRMCS — a sector with massive upcoming deployment budgets across Europe.