NEW YORK-Nokia Corp. introduced one of its first W-CDMA gadget built specifically for the Americas-the sliding-style 6282, which is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of next year. Although Nokia did not say which carriers will sell the device, Cingular Wireless L.L.C. is a likely candidate since the carrier is building a W-CDMA network in the United States.
Nokia’s new 6282 features a 1 megapixel camera, FM radio, digital music player, miniSD card support and Bluetooth. The device runs on GSM using the 850, 1900 and 1800 MHz spectrum bands and on W-CDMA using the 1900 MHz band. The bands are notable since Cingular is building its W-CDMA network using 1900 MHz, but also using 850 MHz.
“With the introduction of the Nokia 6282 phone, we are helping to make the promise of high-speed UMTS services in the Americas a reality,” said Kai Oistamo, senior vice president of Nokia’s phone business. “Although it weighs barely 4 ounces, the Nokia 6282 phone is among the most advanced wireless devices available in this market. Without sacrificing size, style or performance, this sleek new device puts a world of possibilities into the hands of consumers in the Americas.”
The first W-CDMA gadgets in the United States showed up last year when what was AT&T Wireless Services Inc. launched W-CDMA services in a handful of cities with two phones from Nokia and Motorola Inc. Cingular has since acquired AWS, but decided to not support the W-CDMA devices.
Nokia also released new W-CDMA devices for Europe.
In other Nokia news, the company said it will expand its mobile phone production operations in Dongguan, China.
“Our already well-established presence in Dongguan made the decision to expand the manufacturing facility easy. Dongguan is an elementary part of our global manufacturing network as a cost-efficient and well-functioning facility, and we believe that the expansion will further benefit our customers in the highly competitive and rapidly growing Chinese and Asian markets,” said Raimo Puntala, senior vice president of operations and logistics for Nokia.
China-the country with the largest number of mobile phone users in the world-stands as a key market for the world’s mobile phone makers.
