Nokia establishes unit to tie phones, services

HELSINKI, FINLAND: Nokia said on Thursday it would establish a new business unit to bring its handset operations and new mobile Internet services closer together.

Nokia has been looking for business opportunities from offering services like music downloads or games to cellphone users as the handset market itself is maturing, but so far its offerings have gained limited traction.

Nokia said the new unit, which will report as part of Devices and Services segment, will start from October. It named Alberto Torres to head the unit.

"It enables faster and better integration of devices and services," said Nokia spokeswoman Arja Suominen, adding the new unit would employ "a few hundred" staff.