Telecom Lead India: Mobile phone major Nokia, which
recorded 100 percent growth in Lumia sales last quarter, is targeting to
strengthen its smartphone business riding on new Lumia launches and Windows
platform.
But telecom industry analysts are cagey about Nokia’s
growth in the short term.
Nokia sold 4 million Lumia devices in Q2, up from about 2
million in Q1.
Expanded availability of the Lumia 900 and the Lumia 610
across markets were growth drivers.
The launch of Windows 8 for PCs and tablets, plus the
launch of Windows Phone 8, will be a catalyst for Lumia.
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, during the analyst call to
explain Q2 results, said Windows Phone 8 will share the same Metro user
experience and the core operating system technologies as Windows 8, providing a
similar platform for developer applications across devices.
As Microsoft shared, the look and feel of the Lumia
interface is to become familiar to millions of people through PCs, tablets and
Xbox consoles.
Nokia anticipates that Microsoft will launch a bold and
aggressive marketing campaign for Windows 8, which will have a halo effect for
Lumia.
Nokia intends to broaden the price point range of Lumia
devices to price points both higher for better gross margins and lower for
volume. Nokia will invest in new materials, new technologies and location-based
services for a great consumer experience.
For existing Lumia devices, Nokia has already started the
pattern of updates including WiFi tethering, flip to silence, media content
streaming and exclusive applications like some from Zynga.
Nokia is planning for all 4 Lumia devices to receive an update
with some Windows Phone 8 features like the new start screen, like core camera
experiences and updates to Nokia Drive, Nokia Transport and Nokia Music.
Nokia’s Smart Devices net sales decreased 10 percent
sequentially due to lower Symbian net sales, partially offset by higher Lumia
net sales.
Reuters reported that analysts cut their price targets on
Nokia to little more than the value of its cash and patents on Friday as hopes
fade that phones using new Microsoft software can revive the ailing mobile
company anytime soon.
editor@telecomlead.com
