What is Nokia’s Automotive Connectivity Strategy in China?

Nokia is strengthening its position in automotive connectivity through a new bilateral patent licence agreement with a leading Chinese automaker. 

This reinforces the role of telecoms technologies in modern vehicles and highlights the growing importance of intellectual property frameworks in the connected car ecosystem.

For telecoms vendors, the automotive sector has become an increasingly strategic extension of the wider network economy, as vehicles rely on the same standards, spectrum and infrastructure that support consumer and enterprise connectivity.

Nokia’s wireless technologies already underpin many in-car services, from navigation and emergency calling to over-the-air software updates and advanced driver assistance systems. 

Cellular connectivity enables vehicles to remain persistently connected to mobile networks, while Wi-Fi provides local connectivity inside the vehicle, allowing passengers to connect devices for entertainment or work while on the move.

Licensing cellular innovation for vehicles

The newly signed agreement reflects Nokia’s approach to enabling automotive connectivity through licensing rather than direct hardware supply. 

By licensing its patented technologies, Nokia allows automakers to integrate standardised cellular and Wi-Fi capabilities into their vehicles while maintaining alignment with global telecoms standards.

This marks a further step in Nokia’s automotive licensing programme, which has expanded steadily as connected vehicles move from premium features to standard expectations. The agreement supports the use of Nokia’s technologies across multiple generations of mobile standards, ensuring continuity as vehicles remain in service for many years.

Susanna Martikainen, Chief Licensing Officer, Wireless Technologies at Nokia Technologies says: “Nokia enables automakers to harness our innovation by licensing the use of our patented technologies and I am delighted to say that Nokia has recently signed a new bilateral patent license agreement with a leading Chinese automaker. 

“The agreement covers the use of Nokia’s cellular technologies from 2G to 5G, as well as our essential Wi-Fi technologies, in their connected vehicles.”

Growing momentum in the Chinese market

China has become a critical market for connected vehicles, driven by scale, rapid model cycles and strong demand for digital services. Nokia has now signed licence agreements with five Chinese automakers, a milestone that highlights the increasing recognition of telecoms intellectual property within the automotive sector.

For telecoms suppliers, these agreements demonstrate how standard essential patents developed for mobile networks translate directly into adjacent industries such as automotive, where reliable connectivity is central to safety, performance and user experience.

“We have now signed license agreements with five Chinese automakers, reflecting the increased respect shown by Chinese automakers for our intellectual property rights,” says Susanna.

“I would like to again extend my gratitude to our Chinese automotive licensees for their professionalism and constructive spirit during our negotiations.”

The expansion of licensing activity in China also reflects broader convergence between telecoms and automotive supply chains, as vehicles become endpoints on national mobile networks and participants in emerging vehicle-to-everything ecosystems.

Enforcing a level playing field

Alongside collaboration, Nokia has reiterated the importance of consistent licensing practices across the automotive industry. 

As connected vehicle volumes grow, so too does the need for clear rules governing the use of patented telecoms technologies.

“We encourage those Chinese automakers who have not yet entered into an agreement to accept their responsibilities as implementers of patented technologies,” adds Susanna.

“Because companies who do not play by the rules should not have an unfair advantage over those who do. And if necessary, we are prepared to litigate to ensure a level playing field for implementers of our technologies.”

For the telecoms sector, Nokia’s stance underscores how licensing and enforcement remain central to funding long-term R&D in cellular and Wi-Fi standards. 

As vehicles increasingly rely on mobile connectivity, the relationship between automakers and telecoms innovators continues to deepen, shaped by both cooperation and clear expectations around intellectual property.