Cheap 3G phones help Nokia in US — MobileMonday Global: Industry News

^{AT&T Mobility launches Nokia 6350 flip week end} Cheap 3G phones help Nokia in US

2 Oct 2009 at 22:23 GMT Timo Poropudas

Nokia is slowly, slowly gaining a bigger foothold in the US market. The latest step is the launch of a new 3G Nokia flip phone, the 6350 with AT&T Mobility.

The new HSDPA phone is a basic flip device with music keys, email support and a 2-megapixel camera. It runs Nokia's Series 40 operating system and user interface. The 6350 will be available 4 for USD 29.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate.

Earlier this week Nokia announced that Verizon Wireless, the largest US carrier, would launch a similar phone, the Shade 2705 flip phone, for USD 29.99 with a two-year contract. Earlier in September Verizon launched the 7705 Twist, a square-shaped messaging phone that twists open to reveal a full Qwerty keypad. It sells for USD 99.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

AT&T launched Nokia's Surge smartphone in July and the E71x in March. AT&T also will make Nokia's Ovi Store available to its customers later this year. Last few years Nokia has been steadily losing US market share, first to Motorola and then to LG and especially Samsung.