Next G Nokia not so good for The Bush

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 26 July 2007 16:54

Your IT - Home IT

Telstra has introduced the first Nokia phone for use on its Next G network and is hoping it will entice Nokia-loyal CDMA customers onto the new network, but admits that the new Nokia is not the best handset for rural users in marginal coverage areas.

Telstra has started giving customers some indication of the RF performance of different handsets: a tick will be used to identify mobile handsets "recommended for rural handheld coverage." So far three handsets have been so endorsed: the Samsung 411, released earlier this month at $299 as a prepaid handset; the LG TU500 ( introduced at the launch of Next G in 2006) and the LGTU550 (also launched in June).

The new Nokia, the 6120 Classic is not up to snuff in this regard. Telstra told iTWire: "The Nokia's a great phone and sure to prove popular but in testing fell short of getting the tick for being recommended for rural handheld use."

The Nokia 6120 Classic is available as a Telstra postpaid handset, retailing for $589. It has a two megapixel camera with four-times digital zoom and panorama mode, a second camera for video calls, text-to-speech functionality, stereo FM radio, MP3 player, MMS capability, hands free speaker and bluetooth.

Shaun Colligan, general manager, Nokia Australia & New Zealand, said: "Nokia has traditionally enjoyed a very high share of Telstra's CDMA business and we are looking forward to working with Telstra on moving this loyal Nokia user base to the Next G network."