14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that we might be able to see some Nokia LTE mobile phones in the not so far future, at least this is what the latest news would suggest. In addition, the mobile phone maker is also expected to work on its partnership with Verizon, so that the LTE handsets would be launched with the cell phone carrier.
A Nokia executive is reported to have stated a few days ago that the company preferred the LTE network for its devices, and that it expected to be able to launch such devices in 2010. James Harper, senior manager of technology marketing at Nokia, stated at a PCCA meeting held in Grapevine, Texas, that the company would release data intensive handsets, although he didn't detail the type of devices that would be unveiled.
At the same time, mobile phone manufacturer's move towards LTE is also backed up by the commitment Nokia Siemens Networks showed towards the technology, as well as by the partnership between the Finnish phone maker and Qualcomm for S60-optimized HSPA and LTE chipsets, which are expected to become available next year.
James Harper stated that LTE was the “preferred mobile broadband technology after HSPA,” while also saying that Nokia's plans in the WiMAX area were canceled due to the technology's lack of a clear roadmap forward. “WiMAX has some place in the market, but we do believe it’s a niche play,” he added.
As many of you might already know, at the beginning of this year we learned that the company pulled the plug on its Nokia N810 WiMAX edition device. Back then, word had it that the company should come up with another WiMAX device, yet it seems that its plans have changed. At the same time, most carriers in the United States switched their focus towards LTE, which slowed the roll-out of WiMAX in the country.
As for the carrier that would bear the Nokia LTE handsets, rumor has it that it will be Verizon, as the phone maker has ramped up its Verizon-branded product portfolio during the past few years, while also expressing its content with the operator's choice for LTE over WiMAX. Some even say that we could see a full touchscreen multimedia phone launched along with the Verizon LTE network.