Nokia said the number of 5G network deals reached 145 in Q4 2020 as compared with 101 in Q3 2020. The number of commercial 5G networks that went live touched 45 in Q4 2020 as compared with 36 in Q3 2020.
Though Nokia signed several 5G network deals, its sales decreased 5 percent, primarily driven by lower net sales in Mobile Access. The growth in radio access products was driven by 5G, partially offset by dip in legacy radio access products, Nokia said.

Nokia said its 5G Powered by ReefShark (5G PBR) shipments accounted for approximately 43 percent in Q4 2020 as compared with 10 percent in Q4 2019.

Nokia said its product development roadmaps remain on track for 5G PBR to account for ~70 percent of product shipments by the end of 2021, and ~100 percent of product shipments by the end of 2022.

Nokia said its 5G conversion rate was approximately 90 percent, excluding China, down from the low 90 percent range. Including China, its 5G conversion rate was approximately 80 percent, down from the low 80 percent range. In 2020, Nokia’s conversion rates were impacted by not converting all of 4G footprint into 5G footprint in North America and China, partially offset by footprint gains in Europe.

Nokia said its 4G+5G mobile radio market share stood at approximately 27-28 percent, excluding China in 2020 as compared with 27 percent in 2019.

“We expect our mobile radio market share, excluding China, to be impacted in 2021 primarily due to not converting all of our 4G footprint into 5G footprint in North America, and we are therefore targeting approximately 25 percent to 27 percent market share in full year 2021,” Nokia said on Thursday.