Nokia plans to launch mobile phones that can access both mobile and fixed networks for consumers in the next 12 months. Nokia will release a dual-mode cellular/WiFi phone targeted at corporate users this year and one for consumers in the first half of 2006. Company spokespeople said that all future Nokia phones for the enterprise will feature WiFi access. The announcement is seen by many insiders and analysts as a major advancement for dual-mode mobile access. Nokia recently partnered with Kineto Wireless, a startup advancing a technology called UMA. UMA allows carriers to offer dual-mode mobile phones that can access cellular networks and WiFi.
For more on Nokia's commitment to dual-mode handsets:
- go to this article from Dow Jones