HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, announced its acquisition of Valona Labs, a mobile software cybersecurity products and solutions for the enterprise. This move then leads to the establishment of a brand-new Centre of Excellence in Tampere, Finland.

The new Centre of Excellence in Tampere will specialize in software, security, and services, propelling HMD Global’s transition from a purely hardware business, to a combined hardware and services company, diversifying its intellectual property and differentiating its unique go-to-market offering.

In March this year, HMD Global entered a new service category with the launch of its global data roaming service, HMD Connect, which enables people around the world to benefit from a hassle-free data SIM.

Nokia phones move data collection center to Europe to reinforce commitment to data security

Nokia expands portfolio with three new smartphones

Over the coming months, the center in Tampere will concentrate on developing this service further and begin work on other services such as remote device locking, enterprise mobility management, mobile device software security, secure network communication, and black-box testing. There are also ambitions to expand the scope of the center to include imaging and audio technologies in the future. The center will create an immediate need to hire new technical talent in the region and will be led by the former award-winning Head of Unit for Valona Labs, Ari Heikkinen.

Valona Labs

“As a company that believes every phone should be built upon the foundations of security, reliability, and dependability, we are proud to announce the acquisition of assets of Valona Labs, a renowned and trusted mobile software business,” said Juho Sarvikas, chief product officer, HMD Global.

Tampere is renowned as a destination for technological development, particularly in relation to mobile innovation.

HMD Global hopes to leverage the region’s expertise and exploring various collaboration opportunities with different companies in the area, as well as with Tampere University’s technology department.