Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-11-03 09:16Core Insights - Nvidia and Nokia have formed a strategic partnership, with Nvidia investing $1 billion at a subscription price of $6.01 per share, focusing on the AI-RAN market and future 6G evolution [1][3] - The partnership marks a significant shift in Nokia's strategy, as it aims to reform its RAN products to accommodate Nvidia's technology, despite previous skepticism about using Nvidia's GPUs for RAN applications [3][4] Group 1: Strategic Developments - The change in Nokia's stance is attributed to the appointment of Justin Hotard as CEO, who has a strong background in AI and technology, advocating for the integration of AI in network solutions [4][12] - Nvidia's willingness to provide financial support to companies that can drive demand for its products is evident from its previous investments in OpenAI and Intel, indicating a strategy to bolster its market position [7][11] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The RAN market is relatively small, with total sales of $35 billion last year, and has seen a decline of $10 billion since 2022, making Nvidia's interest in this sector appear puzzling [8][12] - Nvidia's real attraction lies in the opportunity to sell GPUs to telecom operators, which could be deployed at numerous sites, enhancing AI capabilities closer to end-users [8][9] Group 3: Financial Implications - Following the announcement of the partnership, Nokia's stock price surged over 20%, reaching its highest level since early 2016, reflecting investor optimism about the potential benefits of the collaboration [13][14] - Nokia's financial struggles are evident, with a reported operating profit of €251 million ($293 million) in the first nine months of 2024, down from a profit in the same period the previous year [12][19] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The partnership raises questions about the future role of other chip suppliers like Marvell in Nokia's 5G and 6G plans, as reliance on Nvidia could lead to an over-dependence on a single supplier [18][19] - Major telecom operators have expressed skepticism about deploying GPUs in RAN, indicating a potential challenge for Nvidia in convincing the industry of the benefits of its technology [11][21] Group 5: Future Outlook - If successful, the partnership could position Nokia as a key player in the evolving telecom landscape, potentially leading to significant advancements in mobile network technology [20][21] - The collaboration is seen as a pivotal moment for Nokia, with the potential to reshape its market presence and influence in the telecom sector, akin to a transformative event in the industry [21]