Nokia to launch 40 devices in 2004
26-03-2004
by Anthony Quinn

Mobile giant Nokia is to extend technological mobility into new areas of life and business, according to the company's CEO.

A convergence of the mobile communications, information technology and media industries is creating opportunities for Nokia to develop new products and services in the areas of mobile games, multimedia and enterprise solutions, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jorma Ollila told assembled shareholders at an AGM in Helsinki.

The Finnish mobile firm is to launch about 40 new mobile devices this year, the same as in 2003, promised Ollila. "Our product portfolio will continue to be very competitive and will offer mobile devices that change the way we work, play and stay connected to the people and information that matter to us," he said.

Nokia is to continue to focus on expanding mobile voice, driving consumer mobile multimedia and on bringing extended mobility to companies, he told the AGM.

Nokia reached strategic milestones during 2003 by attaining the number one market position in the United States in mobile phones and the number one position in GSM mobile phones in China, according to Ollila. "We also significantly increased our global CDMA handset market share," he added.

In the gaming industry, the company is to continue building the N-Gage brand in 2004 and will launch several "interesting" games which cannot be played with traditional gaming devices.

In his speech, Ollila also reviewed the 2003 annual results. Nokia's main business areas Nokia Mobile Phones represented approximately 80 percent of the company's net sales in 2003. Nokia Networks' share was 19 percent. Operating profit at Nokia Networks was down 4.2 percent for the full year ending 31 December 2003.

Nokia's total net sales amounted to EUR29.5 billion, 1 percent less than in 2002. Sales were muted by the continued weakness of the US dollar, according to Ollila. At constant currency rates, Nokia sales would have grown 7 percent, he claimed. However, Nokia's operating reported profit grew by 5 percent to EUR5.011 billion. The Nokia board also proposed a dividend of EUR0.30 per share for 2003.

Five years ago, Nokia had a vision of a coming digital convergence, Ollila told gathered shareholders. "Now, this vision is a reality," he said. "Our industry has progressed on many fronts and now, the enablers are in place for the recovery of mobility."

"Mobility will significantly change our lives and the way we do business. With our strategy and our new organisation, we are well positioned to take advantage of the next growth phases in our industry as well as offer the benefits of mobility to consumers, businesses and the global community," he said.

Nokia recently unveiled the Communicator 9500, its first mobile phone with Wi-Fi capabilities, at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France.