"Reuters" became aware of the plans of the Finnish company Nokia to sell a unit engaged in the production, laying and maintenance of the submarine cable. Several well-informed sources shared information with the agency, one of them from the government circles of France.

This is a division of Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). The company is considered one of the world's leading suppliers of submarine cable, and its value is estimated at about 800 million euros.

Nokia acquired this asset last year as part of the acquisition of Alcatel, a French competitor valued at $ 15.6 billion.

The agency notes that at that time the French authorities viewed ASN as a strategically important company for the country, as it provides a high-speed Internet connection with the overseas territories of France and African countries. In addition, business plays a key role in terms of national security and the possibility of cyber intelligence.

The company has about 1000 employees, mainly in France and the UK.

ASN functions as a separate business in the Nokia structure, but the financial indicators of the unit are summed up with the results of the parent company.

According to one source, Nokia has repeatedly expressed its intention to sell ASN and has already informed the staff of the company. Also, the interlocutors of the agency indicate that the business is not a profile for the Finnish manufacturer of telecommunications equipment.

Nokia refused official comments.