Nokia is in advanced talks to buy French rival Alcatel-Lucent.
If the purchase goes ahead it will create a European telecoms equipment group worth some €40bn.
The deal appears to have the blessing of the French government.
The economy minister is Emmanuel Macron: “This merger between Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent will create a European giant, both in terms of equipment and technology. This giant will be able to compete with Huawei and the Chinese companies.”
Shares in the French company shot up in response.
The move marks a sensational turnaround by Nokia, which was in severe financial straits two years ago before selling its mobile phone division to Microsoft.