Nokia is expanding its range of mobiles designed for new growth markets. The latest product in the range is the 2652 folding phonewhich is intended to build on the 2650, adding two new design motifs, 'Cell' and 'Fleur' with dark grey and pearl-white key mats for consumers to choose from. The 2652 will be commercially available this month with an estimated retail price of euro 100 before subsidies or taxes. The Nokia 2652 will be available in Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Greater China region.
By coincidence, the introduction of the 265 coincides with Nokia's recent appointment of a new head for the division of the company which manufactures its cheapest handsets. New executive Kai Oistamo emphasises that Nokia will always work with telecoms operators in order to cut the cost of owning and using cellphones. In his opinion operators are in a position to offer mobile services for US$5 per month and still make a profit, given the right mix of phones, networks, services and regulations.
"When the cost of mobile services becomes this affordable, we foresee the growth curve in growth markets accelerating sharply," in Kai Oistamo's opinion. The 2652 is Nokia's 36th handset to launch in 2005. Earlier this year, it launched the 1110 and 1600 low-end models intended for first-time users in developing markets such as Africa. Those non-folding models were originally expected to sell for euro 65-85, with analysts forecasting prices would fall as larger volumes are shipped.
