Nokia may be laying off as many as 70 employees from its IP unit Nokia Technologies, Reuters has reported, as it revises its “long-term strategy” and a “reshape” of the organisation, according to the company.

“As part of this, talks have been initiated with the staff,” added a spokeswoman.

Nokia Technologies deals with technology development and licensing, employing 647 people globally, according to its Q1 2015 results, an increase from 620 a year earlier, a figure which actually dropped to 592 at end-December 2014. About 400 of the most recent figure are thought to work in Finland.

Interestingly, also in the parent company’s Q1 2015 report, where total net sales grew by 20 per cent to €3.2 billion, CEO Rajeev Suri said the unit had experienced a strong quarter with year-on-year sales up more than 100 per cent and operating margin up sharply both year on year and sequentially, benefiting from nonrecurring effects and revenue share from previously divested intellectual property rights.

“I am more confident than ever that licensing activities are tracking well and that there is a robust pipeline of potential new licensees. In addition, I believe that we are focusing on the right innovation opportunities and that the necessary cost discipline is in place,” he had said.

Nokia’s other two arms are a mapping business called HERE and a networks business which accounts for 90 per cent of total revenue.

Last month, Nokia said it would buy long-term networks rival Alcatel-Lucent in an all-share deal valued at an estimated EUR15.6 billion ($16.6 billion) and is exploring the sale of HERE, which would help fund the acquisition.