Operators Announce Plans For New Nokia Smartphones

   By Sven Grundberg 
 

STOCKHOLM--Nokia Corp. (NOK) said operators and retailers in several countries will announce plans to sell Nokia's new Lumia smartphones Thursday, but gave no detail on pricing and availability.

Operators in Australia were first to announce that they will sell the Nokia's new Windows-running Lumia smartphones. Australia's Telstra will be selling Nokia's flagship device, the Lumia 920, while Vodafone and Optus Business will sell the more affordable Lumia 820 device.

However, it still remains unclear what Nokia's new devices will cost and when they will hit shelves. Nokia's Australian press staff said pricing and availability details will be announced at the end of October.

Nokia said it expects more operator and retailer announcements in the coming weeks and reiterated that its new smartphones will launch in select markets before the end of the year.

Nokia's launch of the new Windows 8 phones earlier this month was highly anticipated, but a lack of detailed information about the sales and marketing plan disappointed investors.

At 0701 GMT Nokia's shares traded 1.9% higher at EUR2.04.

Write to Sven Grundberg at [e-mail]

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