Nokia launches new phones for emerging markets

HELSINKI: The Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia launched four new handsets on Wednesday, including two aimed specifically at fast-growing emerging markets.

Growth in demand from developing countries helped Nokia sell 67 million phones in the third quarter and the Finnish mobile firm has said it will continue to improve its handset line-up.

The four new phones, all of which use CDMA technology, comprise two mid-price models and two at the cheaper end, but Nokia gave no expected pricing details, with operators often working such handset prices into the cost of their packages.

CDMA, or Code Division Multiple Access, is the world's second most common phone technology after GSM, or Global System for Mobile Communications, and is common in Latin America, the United States and parts of Asia.

The cheaper 1255 and 2355 phones have features not usually available on lower-cost phones, Nokia said in a statement released in Brazil.

The 1255 has a two-way hands-free speakerphone and voice recorder and allows up to four hours of talk time and 10 days of standby time.

The folding-type 2355 phone has a colour screen, FM radio and a flashlight. Both are expected to go onto the shelves in the first quarter of next year.

The company is aiming to regain ground in Latin America, having lost market share there and in North America in the third quarter, compared to the April-June period.

Nokia also announced two mid-range CDMA handsets, the 2855 and 6165, both of which can use Bluetooth short-range radio links and stream audio and video.

The 6165 also has a 1-megapixel camera and will be able to use positioning information for applications that find local information about points of interest and directions.

The 2855 and 6165 will go onto the market during the first half of next year, Nokia said.