While most tech giants chase the next smartphone innovation, Nokia has set its sights a bit higher—about 238,900 miles higher. The former mobile phone kingpin is now shooting for the Moon. Literally. Nokia has partnered with Intuitive Machines and Lunar Outpost to establish the first-ever cellular network on the lunar surface. Not exactly your average infrastructure project.

The company’s 4G/LTE microcell technology, developed by Nokia Bell Labs, isn’t just another Earth-bound network. It’s been space-hardened to withstand the Moon’s brutal temperature swings, radiation, and the violence of rocket launches. The system has been specifically designed as a compact solution for the unique challenges of lunar operations. Try dropping your smartphone from waist height—now imagine launching it to the Moon. Different ballgame entirely.

Nokia’s lunar tech made its debut on Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission to the Moon’s south pole, deployed on the Athena Lander. The system has already achieved its first milestone: successfully transmitting operational data back to Earth. No roaming charges, thankfully.

This isn’t just a publicity stunt. Nokia’s lunar efforts directly support NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2027. The Lunar Surface Communication System will be a critical component for astronaut communication and vehicle connectivity. The collaboration falls under NASA’s Tipping Point initiative and Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. Government contracts—still the ultimate tech business model.

The lunar experiments aren’t staying on the Moon, either. Nokia is applying what they’ve learned to Earth-bound projects in challenging environments like mines and offshore rigs. Those miniaturized, low-power networks solve real problems here at home. Who knew space tech could be so practical?

Looking ahead, Nokia plans to return to the Moon in 2027, facing fresh challenges like power limitations from solar panels and regulatory hurdles around frequency bands. They’re aiming for a sustainable lunar communication network that could expand into spacesuits and grow alongside lunar settlements.

The Moon’s first phone company has arrived. No callbacks to customer service, though.