# Nokia Q2 profit surges 18% as AI data-center demand boosts sales Orders from AI and cloud customers more than doubled year-on-year. - **Source:** [The Next Web](https://brifing.si/source/afe24b20-b275-4c19-b9a6-8bb3c8babae7) - **Published:** 2026-07-23 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4f34e4de-0c35-4414-ae2f-d24c259b5439 ## Nokia's strong quarter Nokia outperformed analyst expectations in Q2 2026, with comparable operating profit rising 18% to €434mn. Net sales grew 8%, driven by demand for network infrastructure to support AI data centers. The company's results highlight its successful pivot toward high-growth segments. ## Network Infrastructure leads growth Nokia's Network Infrastructure division delivered 12% sales growth to €2.04bn. Optical Networks and IP Networks saw particularly strong performance (up 20% and 16% respectively), as hyperscalers invested in connecting AI clusters across data centers. New orders significantly outpaced shipments. ## AI and cloud boom Sales to AI and cloud customers more than doubled year-on-year to €446mn, with €2.8bn in new orders booked during the quarter. While demand remains robust, supply chain constraints continue to challenge the industry, prompting customers to place longer-term orders to secure capacity. ## Steady mobile infrastructure performance The Mobile Infrastructure unit grew 6% to €2.68bn, showing stabilization after years of slowing 5G investments. However, this segment remains exposed to rising memory chip prices and can't match the double-digit growth Nokia is seeing from its cloud and AI-focused businesses. ## Restructuring costs weigh Nokia expects €800mn in restructuring charges through 2026, including €350mn for integrating Chinese operations and €200mn for European restructuring. Despite these costs, the company maintained its quarterly dividend at €0.04 per share, signaling confidence in its cash position. ## Raised full-year guidance Nokia increased its full-year comparable operating profit outlook to €2.1bn-€2.6bn. Achieving the upper end of this range would require nearly €1.9bn in H2 profit - an ambitious target that depends on converting its €2.8bn AI/cloud order book into delivered revenue and maintaining margins. ## Sources covering this story - https://thenextweb.com/news/nokia-q2-2026-profit-ai-data-centre-demand — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._