Nokia may change its sales strategy with the launch of its upcoming Windows Phone 8 devices. The Financial Times reports that Nokia will dump its mass marketing strategy in favour of a number of exclusive carrier deals similar to what Rogers Wireless and AT&T have in Canada and the US respectively with the Nokia Lumia 900.
Nokia has typically opted for a high-volume sales strategy where it offers as many devices as possible to as many carriers as it can. Instead, it is now apparently looking to form partnerships with one or two European carriers. These would likely get a share of device sales with Nokia benefiting from greater sales support and increased promotion. Such a deal would also allow carriers to put a dent in the dominance of both Android and the iPhone.
At the same time, carriers must ensure that they carry the phones their customers want. While Nokia sold some 4 million Lumia devices in its last quarter, that number is dwarfed by similar flagship smartphones from Apple and Samsung. For example, Samsung has sold 10 million Galaxy S III smartphones in the first two months it has been available.
Both France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom have apparently held talks with Nokia although no deals have yet been struck.
Windows Phone 8 is expected to launch around the same time as Windows 8 with the first devices hitting the street in time for the holiday season.
Read more: The Financial Times