半导体芯闻·2026-02-06 10:12Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant decline in sales and market share of Ericsson and Nokia in the Chinese 5G market due to geopolitical tensions and shifts in customer spending patterns, highlighting the challenges faced by Western telecom suppliers in China [3][5][7]. Group 1: 5G Infrastructure in China - China has built 4.83 million 5G base stations by the end of November, with an increase of 579,000 from the previous year, surpassing the total number installed in Europe since the technology's inception [2]. - The expected explosive growth in 5G spending in China makes it an attractive market for companies like Ericsson and Nokia, especially compared to the more regulated European market [2]. Group 2: Sales Decline of Ericsson - Ericsson's revenue from Chinese customers fell sharply from nearly $1.8 billion in 2019 to approximately $0.798 billion in 2025, representing a decline of over 40% [3]. - The company's market share in China has significantly decreased, with its revenue from the region accounting for only 3% of total sales in the latest quarterly report [3]. - In 2021, Ericsson's sales in China nearly halved to about $1.1 billion, attributed to geopolitical actions against Huawei and ZTE [3]. Group 3: Nokia's Market Challenges - Nokia's market share in China is reported to be only 3% as of 2025, with a significant drop in revenue from nearly €2.2 billion ($2.6 billion) in 2019 to about €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) in 2025 [4][5]. - The company has hinted at a complete exit from the Chinese mobile communications market, citing national security concerns [5]. - Nokia's revenue in the Greater China region is projected to decline by 19% to €913 million ($1.08 billion) by 2025, which is only 42% of the revenue from seven years ago [5]. Group 4: Strategic Moves and Workforce Reduction - Nokia's acquisition of its subsidiary Nokia Shanghai Bell for €501 million ($592 million) aims to simplify its operations in China while potentially reducing expenditures [6]. - Both Ericsson and Nokia have significantly reduced their workforce in China, with Ericsson's employee count dropping from approximately 14,000 in mid-2021 to about 9,500 by the end of the previous year [7]. - The anticipated exit of both companies from the Chinese market raises concerns about their future in the global 6G market, as Chinese operators invest rapidly in mobile network technology [7].