We interview Nokia at CES 2012

Electronista had the chance to interview Nokia Canada's General Manager Richard White on Thursday with hints of future plans. Although careful not to commit to any particular launches, he noted that Nokia was willing to make sure LTE was in any Windows Phone if a carrier set a requirement for it. The strategy would leave room for Verizon Windows Phones from Nokia given the carrier's new refusal to pick up future 3G smartphones.

"If LTE is a requirement, we'll certainly make sure it's part of our portfoilo," he said.

White and his team also hinted that Nokia may have new devices to show at Mobile World Congress in late February. Again being careful, the director wouldn't confirm any projects but did hint at a presence for the Barcelona show. He mentioned that Nokia didn't wait until MWC for the Lumia 900 because it wanted to launch new devices at appropriate venues, and the North American focus of Nokia's first LTE phone reflected this.

Most expect Nokia to focus on budget Windows Phones using Microsoft's Tango update, which is intended to support cheaper hardware for China and other developing countries.

Along with the core discussion, White's team mentioned that the Lumia 900, as well as the 800 and 710, was designed more equally between London and San Diego locations. He wouldn't reveal plans for Canada beyond the 710 and 800 coming to Rogers and Telus, but he added that there would be some marketing "spillover" from the US and that there wasn't as much of a blitz needed for the country.

By Electronista Staff

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industry, Verizon, Microsoft, Nokia, Rogers, Telus, AT&T, mobile phones, Windows Phone, Lumia