Even More ARFFFFFFFfffffffff.
A senior Sonera executive confirms the worst. "The 3G network will not be available on 26 September,"
Sonera vice president Pekka Keskiivari tells Unstrung. "The services will be used with existing handsets."
So will there be any Nokia 3G phones available at all at this launch? "I would have to ask you to direct
that question to Nokia," says Keskiivari. Do we detect some tension here?
Keskiivari also confirmed that it will be 2003 before commercial services are available on Sonera's 3G
network, making reference to the official wording that lays the blame at Nokia's door. Commercial
services will be available "as soon as there is a sufficient number of UMTS-enabled terminals available
and this is feasible in view of the maturity of the network technology."
So what has Nokia to say about this? Well, they're being careful with their words, that's for sure. "We
are launching the terminal on September 26," states Nokia spokeswoman Maija Tommila. But will the
phones be used for Sonera's 3G services? Will we see the phone working? "There will be some
demonstrations." With Sonera? "Sonera representatives will be there. I don't have a clear
understanding of what network will be involved," she adds. Unstrung will be looking for a strategically
placed van with portable test kit on the day.
Then, as if to suggest it was never Nokia's intention to have its handsets used for Sonera's 3G
commercial launch, Tommila adds: "Our plans have not changed."
An interesting suggestion that will not help relations at Sonera HQ, we're sure.
— Ray Le Maistre, European Editor, Unstrung
unstrung.com |
