Telstra premieres Nokia for Next G line-up

Telstra has now added the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer to its roster of Next G device suppliers, as it tries to encourage users to switch from CDMA.

The Nokia 6120 smartphone -- the first Nokia device to launch on the Next G network -- has a two megapixel camera, video calling functionality and an MP3 player.

Telstra said that several more Nokia mobiles will launch on the Next G network before Christmas.

The Nokia smartphone is suitable for regional and metropolitan areas, according to the telco, but will not be recommended for bush users. Telstra last week introduced a scheme to showcase which devices are suitable for more remote areas -- such handsets will carry a blue tick.

A spokesperson for the telco said that devices that are more sensitive to reception, including some LG and Samsung handsets, will get the "blue tick". The next bush-centric device expected to debut for the telco is a Telstra-branded ruggedised ZTE device, set to launch next month.

It's not yet known whether the E-series -- Nokia's range of enterprise devices -- will be available on the Next G network anytime soon. However, Research In Motion, maker of the BlackBerry, told ZDNet Australia that a mobile e-mail device optimised for Telstra's 3G, will be available from early next year.