Watch TV via a Nokia

NICE, France: The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia launched new phone models on Tuesday including a handset that will allow users to watch television, part of a drive to try to sustain market growth in 2004.

Finland's Nokia said in a statement issued on the eve of its mobile Internet conference in Nice that it expected to ship some 100 million phones with color screens, java software, and enhanced messaging options in 2004.

It also said it expected to have 15 phones on the market in 2004 offering high-speed EDGE network connections, with deliveries of EDGE-enabled handsets to reach around 100 million units by end-2005.

The company also launched new phones including its 7700 model, which will allow users to watch television. The 7700 will also have video and camera options and an in-built FM radio.

Nokia shares, already trading higher ahead of the launches, were up 1.7 percent at 14.45 euros by 1025 GMT, slightly outpacing the sector index.

Reuters