Nokia Unveils “Home of Radio” Smart Factory Campus in Oulu: Europe’s AI-Ready 5G/6G Innovation Hub

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Nokia has opened a new R&D and manufacturing campus in Oulu, Finland, marketed as the “Home of Radio.” Covering 55,000 m², the site brings research, design, production, and testing of 5G and future 6G technologies under one roof. Around 3,000 staff from more than 40 countries are currently employed at the facility. The company describes the investment as a way to secure Europe’s role in developing next-generation networks adapted for the AI era.

The inauguration was attended by Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, who framed the campus as proof that investing in Finland pays off. “When you’re working on 5G or 6G, you are creating the neural network of whatever we do in artificial intelligence, robotization or Internet of Things,” he said. Nokia’s President and CEO, Justin Hotard, pointed to Oulu’s long-standing tech ecosystem of research institutions, start-ups, and NATO’s DIANA test center as a reason why the site will be central to what he called the “AI supercycle.”

End-to-End Development Under One Roof

According to Nokia, the campus combines simulated labs with real-world testing facilities to accelerate the development cycle of 5G and 6G networks. Early work will focus on 5G technologies such as 3GPP standardization, system-on-chips (SoCs), and radio hardware and software. A key element is the “Oulu Factory,” which is expected to scale production of Nokia’s radio and baseband equipment for both commercial and defense applications.

Focus on Sustainability

The site is designed with environmental goals in mind. It runs entirely on renewable power, and excess energy from its CO₂-based heating and cooling system is redirected into Oulu’s district network, reportedly warming about 20,000 homes. Nokia also claims a 100% waste utilization rate and a 99% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with conventional manufacturing. Construction began in 2022, and the first employees moved in earlier this year.

Beyond the Campus

Testing is not confined to the new facility. Nokia is also working with partners including the University of Oulu and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland at “OuluZone,” a 350 km² rural test area located east of the city. With minimal radio interference, the site provides a real-world environment for trials ranging from autonomous drones to so-called tactical “bubble” networks for defense use.

Strategic Impact for Europe

The Oulu campus is part of a wider effort to strengthen Europe’s position in telecom infrastructure at a time of rising global competition. By consolidating R&D and manufacturing in Finland, Nokia is seeking to demonstrate that advanced wireless technologies for the AI age can be developed and produced within Europe, rather than relying solely on suppliers in Asia or North America.

tl;dr

• Nokia has opened its 55,000 m² “Home of Radio” campus in Oulu, bringing together R&D, manufacturing, and testing of 5G and 6G networks.
• Roughly 3,000 employees from more than 40 countries work at the site, focusing on 5G standards, SoCs, and radio technologies.
• The “Oulu Factory” will manufacture radios and baseband units for commercial and defense markets.
• The campus runs on renewable energy, reuses 100% of waste, and supplies surplus heat to 20,000 homes.
• Partnerships extend to the OuluZone test area, positioning the campus as part of Europe’s push for digital sovereignty in the AI era.