14 DAY TRIAL // Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia is gearing up for the release of a new family of handsets, based on Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system, and the company is reportedly having difficulties getting along with one of their UK carrier partners, O2.
Rumor has it that Nokia has set a series of strict criteria regarding stock of it Windows Phone devices at O2, including volume targets, store displays and marketing campaigns, and that the wireless carrier did not agree with them.
Apparently, this determined Nokia to drop O2 from the list of wireless carriers that will first launch its Windows Phone devices later this year.
The mobile phone carrier did not want to commit to a long term agreement with Nokia on the distribution of Windows Phones, especially now, when the world waits for a new iPhone device to arrive on the market.
A recent article on Mobilenewscwp.co.uk notes that Nokia CEO Stephen Elop visited the UK earlier this month to discuss with wireless carriers details regarding the launch of its Windows Phones, and that O2 was not present at these meetings.
On the other hand, O2, head of retail Richard Baylis is said to have no idea of any such decision having already been made.
He reportedly stated that it would be surprising if O2 did not launch new Windows Phone devices, given the carrier's relationship with Microsoft.
The news site also notes that one of their sources suggested that O2 is interested in maintaining a great relationship with Apple, and that they might leave other vendors aside to achieve that.
“They work very well with the manufacturers and channel their message very well. But they are very close to Apple and will not look to compromise that relationship,” the source reportedly stated.
“O2 was initially very excited by the Nokia portfolio, but in recent weeks that attitude has changed.”