Nokia launches CDMA handsets

Nokia, the largest selling GSM handsets in the country, has entered the CDMA market with Reliance Infocomm. So far, Reliance had been providing only LG and Samsung handsets.

The Nokia 2280 with Reliance India Mobile connections would now be available at Nokia outlets.

Pre-provisioned with RIM service, the handsets would be activated immediately after completion of usual formalities of filing application forms at Nokia shops.

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Gautam Advani, head--marketing and corporate communications Nokia India Pvt Ltd said, the company was in discussions with Tata Teleservices, the other private sector WLL player.

It is understood that Nokia would be expanding its portfolio in the country in the coming months. On the anvil are the Nokia 8280, the mobile Internet with an enhanced calendar, the Nokia 3586, which comes with a large screen displaying 4,096 colours and the Nokia 3585 fun phone.

This would be the first time that the CDMA handsets were being routed through Nokia outlets as opposed to service providers.

A Reliance spokesperson said, with this launch customers intending to go for a RIM connection would have a larger set of retail outlets to procure the connections.

The MRP of the handset is Rs 6,890 and the handset offer is available in three plans--the Dhirbhai Ambani Pioneer offer with a monthly commitment of Rs 500, Budget 149 with a monthly commitment of Rs 249 and the Budget 249 with a monthly commitment of Rs 399.

Reliance spokesperson said, "With the increased portfolio of handsets we are now in a better position to market our services and fight competition."

The Nokia 2280 comes with a white LED backlight, interchangeable X-press-on coloured covers, a calendar, an alarm clock and downloadable ring tines.

Other features include a built-in phone book, which supports up to 250 entries, high-speed data support and dull text messaging capability including predictive text input.