Nokia Launches its First 3G Phone in South Korea

Nokia has launched its first 3G phone in the South Korean market after securing a distribution deal with the mobile network operator, KTF. The first model to be launched in Korea is the Nokia 6210s.

"The time is now right for Nokia to enter the Korea market," said Colin Giles, Senior Vice President, Greater China, Japan and Korea, Nokia. "With the launch of 3G WCDMA networks and the move by the local operators to more open international standards, Korea has become a more viable market for global players.

"We look forward to being able to give Korean consumers the chance to choose from a wider range of devices. Our goal is to start slowly with a couple of devices in the first year and build our presence and product portfolio overtime, learning from the market as we go," Mr Giles said.

Mr Won-Do Lee, Vice President, Handset Strategy Office, KTF said. "We are delighted to welcome Nokia to Korea and to add the Nokia 6210s to our product portfolio. We have worked very closely with Nokia to bring this first product to market. By having the world's number one phonemaker in our product stable we are giving our customers the ability to choose from a wide variety of 3G devices."

The Nokia 6210s is a smartphone based on S60 software. It features a 3.2 megapixel camera, an MP3 player, video playback and a stereo FM radio. Photographs can be taken in panoramic mode and can also be uploaded to Flickr. The Nokia 6210s comes with a 1GB memory card in box.

While the Nokia 6210s is Nokia's first WCDMA device to be sold in Korea, Nokia has a long history in Korea having had manufacturing facilities in Masan since 1984.

Over the years, Nokia tmc, as Nokia's Masan operation is known, has produced nearly 400 million mobile devices which have been exported to over 110 countries. Nokia tmc has contributed over US$2 billion annually in exports to the Korean economy.

"We are very proud of the fact that the Nokia 6210s will be stamped 'Made in Korea'. For nearly two decades we have been exporting finely-crafted mobile phones made in Masan to the rest of world. Now, finally, what we have made in Masan can be sold in Seoul," Mr Giles said.

The Nokia 6210s has a retail price of KRW 396,000 (US$300) and will be sold through KTF shops.

Posted to the site on 7th April 2009