Nordic network pioneers international mobile calling

A new era for mobile phones began in 1981, with the launch of the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) service.

Initially spanning several Nordic countries, the service was the world’s first international cellular network. It was also the first to allow international roaming, and caught on fast both inside and outside Europe.

Mobile explosion

With the introduction of the NMT standard, the mobile phone industry began to expand rapidly.

Nokia soon introduced the first car phones to the network. The Mobira 450 car phone came in 1982, followed by the portable in 1986. By this time the company was also providing base stations and switches for NMT network operators.

Did you know?

As Nokia’s telecommunications business took off, its cable and rubber businesses were still going strong. One of the great successes of the early 1970s was the Kontio – a rubber boot that was available in different colors and proved a big hit with all age groups.