India, Oct. 22 -- Nokia reported a 35% year-on-year increase in comparable operating profit for the third quarter of 2026, as demand for networking equipment from artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure customers strengthened. The results underline the growing importance of data-centre connectivity to the Finnish telecom equipment maker as investment in traditional telecommunications networks remains uneven.

Nokia's comparable operating profit rose to 605 million euros in the quarter ended 30 September 2026, from 448 million euros a year earlier, exceeding the average analyst estimate of 453 million euros, according to a company-provided poll. Net sales increased 10% year on year to 5.15 billion euros, or 9% on a constant-c...