Press Release: Phones 4u announces the launch of ‘LIFE Mobile’

PHONES 4U ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF 'LIFE MOBILE'

new mobile virtual network FROM PHONES 4U, TO RuN ON EE NETWORK, available to customers from March

Phones 4u today announces that it is launching LIFE Mobile, a mobile virtual network that will run on EE's 3G network, with plans to roll out 4G services later in 2013. In development for over 12 months, LIFE Mobile will launch in March 2013 and has been designed to address the evolving needs of Phones 4u's customers, who see their mobile devices as an integral part of their daily lives and look for as much choice and flexibility as possible when deciding what devices and plans are best suited to their individual requirements. Life Mobile, will offer a wide range of great value tariffs and services that include data packages as standard, reflecting the changing nature of customer usage.

Tim Whiting, Group Chief Executive said:

"The launch of LIFE Mobile is a very significant step for the Phones 4u business.  Our strategic vision is based upon an unrelenting focus on building ever-stronger relationships with our customers, which we believe is fundamental to our on-going business success. This focus delivered record revenue growth in 2012, a year in which we opened more than 100 stores across the UK. We are delighted to be extending our longstanding partnership with EE in order to add LIFE Mobile to the extensive range of products and services available at Phones 4u."

"Our customers see their mobile devices as an integral part of their daily lives. LIFE Mobile will enable us flexibility and creativity in designing propositions to give our customers even further choice.  We will sell both 3G, and later in 2013, 4G LIFE Mobile tariffs alongside our existing network propositions and are confident the new network will play a key role in driving further growth for our business."

Marc Overton, Vice President of Wholesale and M2M at EE, said:

"We're delighted that EE has been selected as Phones 4u's MVNO partner, giving us the opportunity to further build on our longstanding and successful relationship. By choosing the EE network, Phones 4u will guarantee its LIFE Mobile customers access to the UK's widest 3G coverage, as well as the UK's only 4G network later in 2013. Our ambition is to provide 4G to key industry players by the end of 2013, and we feel this will open up a world of opportunities for both new and existing partners alike."

Full information on the tariffs and services available on LIFE Mobile will be announced in the coming weeks. From March, LIFE Mobile will be available to customers in every Phones 4u store on the high street, including all 150 Phones 4u store-in-stores in Dixons' Currys and PC World outlets, as well as by phone and online.

Press Release: Nokia exceeds previous Q4 2012 outlook for Devices & Services and Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia provides preliminary financial information for Q4 2012 and preliminary outlook for Q1 2013

Nokia Corporation
Stock exchange release
January 10, 2013 at 15:00 (CET+1)

Espoo, Finland - Nokia today provided preliminary information on certain aspects of its fourth quarter 2012 financial performance and also provided preliminary information on its outlook for the first quarter 2013.

Nokia now estimates that Devices & Services has exceeded expectations and achieved underlying profitability in the fourth quarter 2012.
- Mobile Phones business unit and Lumia portfolio delivered better than expected results; and
- Operating expenses were lower than expected.
- Devices & Services non-IFRS operating margin for the fourth quarter 2012 now expected to be between break even and positive 2 percent.

Seasonality and competitive environment are expected to have a negative impact on the first quarter 2013 underlying profitability for Devices & Services, compared to the fourth quarter 2012.

Nokia also estimates that Nokia Siemens Networks has exceeded expectations for the fourth quarter 2012, delivering record underlying profits and a third consecutive quarter of underlying profitability.
- Strong performance in higher margin product categories and geographic regions; and
- Better than expected cost management.
- Nokia Siemens Networks non-IFRS operating margin for the fourth quarter 2012 now expected to be between 13 and 15 percent.

Seasonality is expected to have a negative impact on the first quarter 2013 underlying profitability for Nokia Siemens Networks, compared to the fourth quarter 2012.

Commenting on the preliminary Q4 financial information, Stephen Elop, Nokia CEO, said:
"We are pleased that Q4 2012 was a solid quarter where we exceeded expectations and delivered underlying profitability in Devices & Services and record underlying profitability in Nokia Siemens Networks. We focused on our priorities and as a result we sold a total of 14 million Asha smartphones and Lumia smartphones while managing our costs efficiently, and Nokia Siemens Networks delivered yet another very good quarter."

Preliminary financial information for the fourth quarter 2012:

Nokia currently estimates that Devices & Services net sales in the fourth quarter 2012 were approximately EUR 3.9 billion, with total device volumes of 86.3 million units.
- Mobile Phones net sales of approximately EUR 2.5 billion, with total volumes of 79.6 million units of which 9.3 million units were Asha full touch smartphones.
- Smart Devices net sales of approximately EUR 1.2 billion, with total volumes of 6.6 million units of which 4.4 million units were Nokia Lumia smartphones.
- Total smartphone volumes of 15.9 million units composed of 9.3 million Asha full touch smartphones, 4.4 million Lumia smartphones and 2.2 million Symbian smartphones.
- Devices & Services Other net sales of approximately EUR 0.2 billion, including a positive impact from non-recurring IPR income of approximately EUR 50 million.

Nokia currently estimates that Devices & Services non-IFRS operating margin for the fourth quarter 2012 was between break even and positive 2 percent, which compares to the previous outlook of approximately negative 6 percent, plus or minus four percentage points. Devices & Services non-IFRS operating margin includes a positive impact from non-recurring IPR income of approximately EUR 50 million.

During the fourth quarter 2012, multiple factors positively affected Nokia's Devices & Services businesses to a greater extent than previously expected. Preliminary information indicates that the main factors include:
- Within the Devices & Services business, better than expected financial performance in the Mobile Phones business unit and Lumia smartphones. In addition, Devices & Services recognized non-recurring IPR income of approximately EUR 50 million; and
- Lower than expected Devices & Services' operating expenses, partially due to greater than expected cost reductions under the restructuring program.

Nokia currently estimates that Location & Commerce net sales in the fourth quarter 2012 were approximately EUR 0.3 billion and the non-IFRS operating margin was between 13 and 15 percent.

Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks currently estimates that Nokia Siemens Networks net sales in the fourth quarter 2012 were approximately EUR 4.0 billion and the non-IFRS operating margin was between 13 and 15 percent, which compares to the previous outlook of approximately positive 8 percent, plus or minus four percentage points. Nokia Siemens Networks non-IFRS operating margin includes a positive impact from non-recurring IPR income of approximately EUR 30 million.

During the fourth quarter 2012, multiple factors positively affected Nokia Siemens Networks' businesses to a greater extent than previously expected. Preliminary information indicates that the main factors include:
- More favorable product and regional mix in Nokia Siemens Networks. In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks recognized non-recurring IPR income of approximately EUR 30 million; and
- Better than expected improvement under Nokia Siemens Networks' restructuring program to reduce operating expenses and production overheads. 

Preliminary outlook for the first quarter 2013:

Nokia expects its non-IFRS Devices & Services operating margin in the first quarter 2013 to be approximately negative 2 percent, plus or minus four percentage points. This outlook is based on Nokia's expectations regarding a number of factors, including:
- competitive industry dynamics continuing to negatively affect the Smart Devices and Mobile Phones business units;
- the first quarter being a seasonally weak quarter;
- consumer demand, particularly for our Lumia and Asha smartphones;
- continued ramp up for our new Lumia smartphones;
- expected cost reductions under Devices & Services' restructuring program; and
- the macroeconomic environment.

Nokia expects Location & Commerce non-IFRS operating margin in the first quarter 2013 to be negative due to lower recognized revenue from internal sales, which carry higher gross margin, and to a lesser extent by a negative mix shift within external sales.

Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks expect Nokia Siemens Networks non-IFRS operating margin in the first quarter 2013 to be approximately positive 3 percent, plus or minus four percentage points.  This outlook is based on Nokia Siemens Networks' expectations regarding a number of factors, including:
- competitive industry dynamics;
- the first quarter being a seasonally weak quarter;
- product and regional mix;
- expected continued improvement under Nokia Siemens Networks' restructuring program; and
- the macroeconomic environment.

Nokia will provide more details when it reports fourth quarter and full year 2012 results on January 24, 2013.

Nokia will be hosting a conference call today at 13:30 UK time (8:30 EST).

The dial-in number for media (listen only - the question and answer session will be limited to financial analysts and investors only) is +1 706 634 5012. Conference ID: 86914019.

The dial-in number for financial analysts and investors is US: +1 888 636 1561. Conference ID: 86914019. UK: +44 1452 560 299. Conference ID: 87088764.

A replay of the call will be available soon after the call completion. The replay number is US: +1 800 585 8367.  Conference ID: 86914019. UK: +44 1452 55 0000. Conference ID: 87088764.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
It should be noted that certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) the expected plans and benefits of our partnership with Microsoft to bring together complementary assets and expertise to form a global mobile ecosystem for smartphones; B) the timing and expected benefits of our new strategies, including expected operational and financial benefits and targets as well as changes in leadership and operational structure; C) the timing of the deliveries of our products and services; D) our ability to innovate, develop, execute and commercialize new technologies, products and services; E) expectations regarding market developments and structural changes; F) expectations and targets regarding our industry volumes, market share, prices, net sales and margins of our products and services; G) expectations and targets regarding our operational priorities and results of operations; H) expectations and targets regarding collaboration and partnering arrangements; I) the outcome of pending and threatened litigation; J) expectations regarding the successful completion of  restructurings, investments, acquisitions and divestments on a timely basis and our ability to achieve the financial and operational targets set in connection with any such restructurings, investments, acquisitions and divestments; and K) statements preceded by "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "foresee," "target," "estimate," "designed," "aim", "plans," "intends," "will" or similar expressions. These statements are based on management's best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Because they involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we currently expect. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to:  1) our success in the smartphone market, including our ability to introduce and bring to market quantities of attractive, competitively priced Nokia products that operate on the  Windows Phone operating system that are positively differentiated from our competitors' products, both outside and within the Windows Phone ecosystem; 2) our ability to make Nokia products that operate on the Windows Phone operating system a competitive choice for consumers, and together with Microsoft, our success in encouraging and supporting a competitive and profitable global ecosystem for Windows Phone products that achieves sufficient scale, value and attractiveness to all market participants; 3) reduced demand for, and net sales of, Nokia products that operate on the Windows Phone 7 operating system in anticipation and availability of Nokia products with the new Windows Phone 8 operating system; 4) the difficulties we experience in having a competitive offering of Symbian devices and maintaining the economic viability of the Symbian smartphone platform during the transition to Windows Phone as our primary smartphone platform; 5) our ability to effectively and timely implement planned changes to our operational structure, including the planned restructuring measures, and to successfully complete the planned investments, acquisitions and divestments in order to improve our operating model and achieve targeted efficiencies and reductions in operating expenses as well as our ability to accurately estimate the related restructuring charges and restructuring related cash outflows; 6) our future sales performance, among other factors, may require us to recognize allowances related to excess component inventory, future purchase commitments and inventory write-offs  in our Devices & Services business;  7) our ability to realize a return on our investment in next generation devices, platforms and user experiences; 8) our ability to produce attractive and competitive devices in our Mobile Phones business unit including feature phones and devices with more smartphone-like features such as full touch devices, in a timely and cost efficient manner with differentiated hardware, software, localized services and applications; 9) the intensity of competition in the various markets where we do business and our ability to maintain or improve our market position or respond successfully to changes in the competitive environment; 10) our ability to retain, motivate, develop and recruit appropriately skilled employees; 11) the success of our Location & Commerce strategy, including our ability to establish a successful location-based platform, extend our location-based  services across devices and operating systems, provide support for our Devices & Services business and create new sources of revenue from our location-based services and commerce assets; 12) our actual performance in the short-term and long-term could be materially different from our forecasts, which could impact future estimates of recoverable value of our reporting units and may result in impairment charges; 13) our success in collaboration and partnering arrangements with third parties, including Microsoft; 14) our ability to increase our speed of innovation, product development and execution to bring new innovative and competitive mobile products and location-based or other services to the market in a timely manner; 15) our dependence on the development of the mobile and communications industry, including location-based and other services industries, in numerous diverse markets, as well as on general economic conditions globally and regionally; 16) our ability to protect numerous patented standardized or proprietary technologies from third-party infringement or actions to invalidate the intellectual property rights of these technologies; 17) our ability to maintain and leverage our traditional strengths in the mobile product market if we are unable to retain the loyalty of our mobile operator and distributor customers and consumers as a result of the implementation of our strategies or other factors; 18) the success, financial condition and performance of our suppliers, collaboration partners and customers; 19) our ability to manage efficiently our manufacturing and logistics, as well as to ensure the quality, safety, security and timely delivery of our products and services; 20) our ability to source sufficient amounts of fully functional quality components, sub-assemblies, software and services on a timely basis without interruption and on favorable terms; 21) our ability to manage our inventory and timely adapt our supply to meet changing demands for our products; 22) any actual or even alleged defects or other quality, safety and security issues in our products; 23) the impact of a cybersecurity breach or other factors leading to any actual or alleged loss, improper disclosure or leakage of any personal or consumer data collected by us or our partners or subcontractors, made available to us or stored in or through our products; 24) our ability to successfully manage the pricing of our products and costs related to our products and operations; 25) exchange rate fluctuations, including, in particular, fluctuations between the euro, which is our reporting currency, and the US dollar, the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan, as well as certain other currencies; 26) our ability to protect the technologies, which we or others develop or that we license, from claims that we have infringed third parties' intellectual property rights, as well as our unrestricted use on commercially acceptable terms of certain technologies in our products and services; 27) the impact of economic, political, regulatory or other developments on our sales, manufacturing facilities and assets located in emerging market countries; 28) the impact of changes in government policies, trade policies, laws or regulations where our assets are located and where we do business; 29) the potential complex tax issues and obligations we may incur to pay additional taxes in the various jurisdictions in which we do business and our actual or anticipated performance, among other factors, could result in allowances related to deferred tax assets; 30) any disruption to information technology systems and networks that our operations rely on; 31) unfavorable outcome of litigations;  32) allegations of possible health risks from electromagnetic fields generated by base stations and mobile products and lawsuits related to them, regardless of merit; 33) Nokia Siemens Networks ability to implement its new strategy and restructuring plan effectively and in a timely manner to improve its overall competitiveness and profitability; 34) Nokia Siemens Networks' success in the telecommunications infrastructure services market and Nokia Siemens Networks' ability to effectively and profitably adapt its business and operations in a timely manner to the increasingly diverse service needs of its customers; 35) Nokia Siemens Networks' ability to maintain or improve its market position or respond successfully to changes in the competitive environment; 36) Nokia Siemens Networks' liquidity and its ability to meet its working capital requirements; 37) Nokia Siemens Networks' ability to timely introduce new competitive products, services, upgrades and technologies; 38) Nokia Siemens Networks' ability to execute successfully its strategy for the acquired Motorola Solutions wireless network infrastructure assets; 39) developments under large, multi-year contracts or in relation to major customers in the networks infrastructure and related services business; 40) the management of our customer financing exposure, particularly in the networks infrastructure and related services business; 41) whether ongoing or any additional governmental investigations into alleged violations of law by some former employees of Siemens may involve and affect the carrier-related assets and employees transferred by Siemens to Nokia Siemens Networks; and 42) any impairment of Nokia Siemens Networks customer relationships resulting from ongoing or any additional governmental investigations involving the Siemens carrier-related operations transferred to Nokia Siemens Networks, as well as the risk factors specified on pages 13-47 of Nokia's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 under Item 3D. "Risk Factors." Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proving to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Nokia does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

 Media and Investor Contacts:

Corporate Communications, tel. +358 7180 34900
email: press.services@nokia.com

Investor Relations Europe, tel. +358 7180 34927
Investor Relations US, tel. +1 914 368 0555

www.nokia.com

Press Release: Introducing Xperia™ Z –the best of Sony in a premium smartphone

Press Release

Introducing Xperia™ Z –the best of Sony in a premium smartphone

Full HD 5” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for super brightness and clarity

Sony’s media applications deliver rich user experiences and instant access to entertainment services

Easy and fast One-touch functions to wirelessly share music, photos and videos across devices

New stand-out Sony design with water and dust resistance

January 7th 2013, Las Vegas, USA – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces its new flagship Android smartphone, Xperia Z. With a 5” Full HD 1080p Reality Display, Snapdragon™ S4 Pro quad-core processor, 13 megapixel fast-capture camera and 4G LTE, Xperia Z has all the specifications expected from a premium smartphone. On top of this, it brings the best of Sony’s unique technology, content, design and connectivity to deliver rich user experiences. Xperia Z will launch globally in Q1 2013.

“With Xperia Z, we are bringing over half a century of innovation in TV, imaging, music, film and gaming to create a superphone experience that truly stands out,” said Kuni Suzuki, President and CEO, at Sony Mobile Communications. “With great specifications, Sony’smedia applications, One-touch functions and outstanding battery life, Xperia Z is well positioned for leadership in the smartphone market. By putting smartphones at the heart of our strategy, Sony is enabling people to create, enjoy and share content and experiences like never before.”
Intelligent Sony Technology

Xperia Z’s razor sharp Reality Display, powered by Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2, brings Sony’s long-standing TV expertise to the smartphone and delivers an immersive viewing experience with super brightness and clarity. The smartphone shares capabilities with Sony digital cameras and features Exmor RS for mobile, the world's first image sensor with HDR (High Dynamic Range) video for smartphones. HDR technology gives clear images agains strong backlight, so users can capture razor sharp pictures and videos whatever the conditions.

Xperia Z also includes Battery STAMINA Mode that can improve the standby time by four times or more* by automatically shutting down battery-draining apps whenever the screen is off and starting them up again when the screen is back on.

Discover, enjoy and share entertainment with Sony’s media applications and One-touch functions
Sony media applications offer a consistent entertainment experience across a range of Sony devices. Pre-loaded on Xperia Z, the “WALKMAN”, Album and Movies apps, enable discovery of on-line and off-line content through a single access point with new ways to enjoy and share that content. The “WALKMAN” application provides access to all your downloaded music, a library of 18 million songs to explore from Music Unlimited and Facebook social integration. The Movies application gives consumers access to over 100,000 movies and TV series from Video Unlimited while the Album application enables easy access to Facebook friends’ photos as well as browsing photos by location.**

One-touch functions enable consumers to easily share music, photos and videos from their smartphone to an array of NFC-enabled Sony devices, including speakers, headphones and now TVs. With the new BRAVIA TV, also announced today, simply touch Xperia Z to the remote control of the TV to instantly enjoy your photos and videos on the big screen.

Two additions to Sony’s range of NFC-enabled headsets were also introduced today, theStereo Bluetooth™ Headset SBH20 and the Wireless Headset DR-BTN200M. Touch Xperia Z to either headset and begin listening to tracks instantly.

Stand-out design and durability
Precision engineered with premium materials, Xperia Z introduces a unique OmniBalance design with subtly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces on all sides. Despite its slim 7.9mm body, Xperia Z is highly durable with tempered glass and anti-shatter film on the front and back, as well as the highest levels of dust and water resistance*** (IP55 and IP57) found in a premium smartphone.
In selected markets, a design variant of Xperia Z – Xperia ZL – will also be released in Q1 2013. Xperia ZL delivers the same immersive entertainment experiences as Xperia Z but in a smaller form factor.

Xperia Z and Xperia ZL will launch on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and will be upgraded to 4.2 shortly after launch for the latest Android user experience.
Key features for Xperia Z

5” 1080 x 1920p full HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 213MP Fast Capture camera with Exmor RS for mobile, HDR video, Superior Auto and Noise Reduction to effortlessly capture razor sharp pictures and videos in any conditionsDust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass display1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor with 2GB RAMBattery STAMINA mode improves standby time by at least 4 times

Xperia Z specifications

*All services mentioned in this document may not be available in every market.
Colours
Black
Purple
White
Facts
Size: 139x71x7.9 mm
Weight: 146 grams
1.5 GHz Qualcomm APQ8064+MDM9215M Quad Core
Adreno 320
Google™ Android™ 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
Camera
13MP
16x digital zoom
Auto focus
Burst Mode
HDR for both picture and video
Face detection
Flash/Pulsed LED
Flash/Photo light
Front-facing camera 2.1MP (1080p video)
Geotagging
HD video recording (1080p)
Image stabiliser
Object tracking
Picture Effect
Quick Launch
Red-eye reduction
Scene recognition
Self-timer
Send to web
Smile shutter
Sony Exmor RS™ for mobile image sensor
Superior Auto
Sweep Panorama
Touch capture
Touch focus
White balance
Music
3D Surround Sound (VPT)
Album art
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
ClearAudio+
Clear bass
Clear Phase™
Clear stereo
Dynamic normalizer
PlayNow™ service*
SensMe™
TrackID™ music recognition*
“WALKMAN” application
xLoud™ Experience
Internet
Bookmarks
Google Chrome™
Google Play™
Google™ search*
Google Voice™ Search*
Google Maps™ for Mobile with
Street view and Latitude™*
NeoReader™ barcode scanner
Pan & zoom
Web browser (WebKit™)
Communication

Call list
Facebook™ application*
Google Talk™ application*
Noise suppression
Polyphonic ringtones
Speakerphone
Twitter™ integration*
Messaging

Conversations
Email
Google Mail™*
Handwriting recognition
Instant messaging
Multimedia messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Voice input
Design

Auto rotation
Face Unlock
Gesture input
IP55 and IP57 (dust and water resistant)
On-screen QWERTY keyboard
Sensor on Lens Display
Screenshot capturing
Touch screen
Wallpaper
Wide color gamut
Entertainment




3D games
Media browser
Motion gaming
PlayStation™ Certified
Radio (FM radio with RDS)
Sony Entertainment Network*
TV launcher
Video streaming
YouTube™*
Organiser

Airplane mode
Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Contacts
Document readers
eCompass™
Infinite button
Notes
Setup guide
Stopwatch
Tasks
Timer
Connectivity

3.5 mm audio jack (CTIA)
aGPS*
Bluetooth™ 4.0 wireless technology
DLNA Certified®
GLONASS*
HDMI via MHL support
Media Go™
Media Transfer Protocol support
Micro USB support
Native USB tethering
NFC
PC Companion
Throw
Screen mirroring
Synchronisation via Exchange
ActiveSync®
Synchronisation via Facebook™
Synchronisation via Google™
Synchronisation via SyncML™
USB charging
USB High speed 2.0 support
Xperia™ Link
Wi-Fi™
Wi-Fi™Hotspot functionality
Display

16,777,216 colour TFT HD Reality Display with Sony
Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2
1920x1080 pixels
5.0 inches
Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant glass
Memory
2 GB RAM
Up to 16 GB*
microSD™ card, memory card slot (supporting up to 32GB)
Networks
Regional variants covering:
LTE
UMTS HSPA+
GSM GPRS/EDGE

Battery life
Talk time GSM: Up to 11 hrs**
Standby time GSM: Up to 550 hrs**

Talk time UMTS: Up to 14 hrs**
Standby time UMTS: Up to 530 hrs**
Standby time LTE: Up to 510 hrs**

Music listening time: Up to 40 hrs
Video playback time: Up to 5.5 hrs

Battery: 2330 mAh minimum

**Values are according to GSM Association Battery Life Measurement Technique. Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configurations, and phone usage.
In the kit
Xperia™ Z, embedded battery, Sony MH-EX300AP headset, charger, micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer, and user documentation

Press Release: Phones 4u announces it will range BlackBerry 10 in the UK

19^th December 2012: Phones 4u can confirm that it will range BlackBerry® 10 when it launches in the UK in early 2013.

Scott Hooton, Phones 4u Chief Commercial Officer comments: “With our longstanding success at putting BlackBerry® smartphones into the hands of the  youth market, and historically selling more BlackBerry devices per store than any other retailer in Europe, we’re really excited about today’s announcement. A significant proportion of Phones 4u customers returning to our stores in Q1 next year will be BlackBerry customers looking to upgrade, and we’re thrilled that we’ll be able to offer our upgrade and new customers BlackBerry 10 devices. We believe that BlackBerry 10 is going to exceed all expectations and strengthen the brand’s position at the forefront of mobile technology.”

Pricing and availability for the BlackBerry 10 range will be revealed at a later date.

Keep up to date with BlackBerry 10 by visiting the Phones 4u website.

Further information is available at www.blackberry.com/BlackBerry10

Press Release: EE continues 4G rollout with 17 new towns and cities to be switched on by March 2013

EE CONTINUES 4G ROLLOUT WITH 17 NEW TOWNS AND CITIES TO BE SWITCHED ON BY MARCH 2013

·         4G being switched on in Bradford, Chelmsford, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Leicester, Luton, Newport, Reading, Rotherham, St Albans, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Watford, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, bringing superfast mobile to more consumers and businesses

·         Ongoing investment to increase network density in launch cities to further increase availability of 4G for users across metropolitan areas

·         EE is turbo-charging 3G, with speeds already increased across 40% of the EE network using DC-HSPA – the fastest available 3G technology

December 13, 2012 – EE, the UK's most advanced digital communications company, today announced that 4G will be switched on in a further 17 towns and cities across the country by March 2013. As well as investing in bringing superfast mobile to new areas around the UK, network density is being rapidly increased in existing 4G launch cities to continue to improve the speed and reach of the UK's first 4G network.

In the first three months of 2013, 4G will be launched in Bradford, Chelmsford, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Leicester, Luton, Newport, Reading, Rotherham, St Albans, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Watford, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, bringing 4G coverage to approximately four million more people across the UK. Last week, 4G was switched on in Derby, Newcastle and Nottingham; Belfast, Hull, Maidenhead and Slough will be switched on before the end of 2012. This brings the total of 4G launches in 2012 to 18, ahead of the schedule of 16.

Councillor Rory Palmer, Deputy City Mayor of Leicester, which is due to be switched on in early 2013, said: "I am delighted that the 4G network will be going live in Leicester in early 2013. EE clearly recognises that Leicester is a city that will benefit significantly from 4G mobile coverage - superfast mobile internet will have real benefits for our residents, homes and businesses across the city."

Superfast 4G mobile is approximately five times faster than 3G. 4G mobile customers will be able to access the web on the go in an instant, download large email attachments quicker than ever, watch live TV on mobiles without buffering, make high quality video calls on the move and play live multiplayer games on the go. EE customers have access to a wide range of mobile handsets, tablets and mobile Wi-Fi devices, including iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE, iPad mini, and Huawei Mobile Wi-Fi.

Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said:

"By the end of the first quarter of 2013, 4G will be available in 35 towns and cities across the UK, making superfast mobile accessible to thousands more customers and businesses every day. We're delighted with the progress of the 4G rollout – we are improving the network every day, delivering superfast mobile to more and more people right across metropolitan areas, whether they're using their devices outdoors or in their homes and offices. This has struck a chord with businesses in particular, with great demand being seen. We're delighted to already be powering large, medium and small businesses with 4G."

Increasing network density

Through ongoing investment in the 4G network, EE is not only bringing superfast speeds to more parts of the UK, but also continuing to make 4G even more widely available across metropolitan areas. Users will find they have access to 4G wherever they travel around their city, and during their commutes to work. This continued investment is enabling businesses and consumers to have the full, superfast 4G experience of web, social media, email and multi-media wherever they are.

Network density* is being increased on a daily basis by enabling 4G on an increasing number of masts. Engineering work continues in each area until the 4G coverage matches that of the EE 2G and 3G network. As well as increasing capacity to meet the demand from thousands of new customers signing up to 4GEE, this ensures that 4G is available throughout an entire area with strong voice and data service available indoors.

The EE network's mobile backhaul – the part of the network that connects each mast into the core network servers – is also being updated to support superfast speeds. 3G and 4G masts across the UK are being connected with Gigabit Ethernet capacity to deliver the highest standard of mobile backhaul, ensuring a great quality of experience, high speed and low latency, which is vital for applications such as multiplayer mobile gaming, and streaming of multimedia content.

Independent network testing

The high performance of the EE 3G and 4G networks, both indoor and outdoor, was proven by independent testing in Manchester city centre in November by independent mobile performance measurement company RootMetrics:

• EE averaged 17.0Mbps download speed on 4G
• The average download speed indoors was 9.7Mbps; average upload speed indoors was 5.1Mbps
• The average download speed, on both 3G and 4G, across the Manchester area was 7.6Mbps; average upload speed was 3.9Mbps – more than twice as fast as the next fastest network

Continued investment in 3G, introducing DC-HSPA

As well as investing in rolling out a broader, denser 4G network, EE is significantly increasing speeds on its 3G network by upgrading to DC-HSPA. By the end of 2012, this variant of 3G – the fastest available in the UK – will be live on 40% of the EE network, and accessible for EE, Orange and T-Mobile customers with a compatible handset.

The top 4G LTE devices also support DC-HSPA, offering the best of both networks. HSPA+ is supported by a broad range of smartphones, tablets and dongles, and is available across the EE network.

For more information, please visit www.ee.co.uk.

- ENDS -

*Network density describes the volume of masts in a given area, constantly being increased by EE with the addition of new masts in launch cities.

4GEE is available in 14 UK towns and cities today – Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Southampton. Belfast, Hull, Maidenhead and Slough will be switched on by the end of the year. EE is aiming for 98% of the UK population to be covered by the end of 2014.

Press Release: Krusell - TOP-10 selling phones for November 2012.

December, 2012

PRESS RELEASE – Krusell - TOP-10 selling phones for November 2012.

1. (1) Apple iPhone 5

2. (3) Apple iPhone 4/4S

3. (5) Samsung I8190 Galaxy S III Mini   

4. (2) Samsung Galaxy i9300 SIII

5. (-) Samsung Galaxy Note II N7100

6. (-) Sony Xperia TX

7. (-) Sony Xperia T

8. (4) Sony Xperia acro S

9. (7) Sony Xperia Go     

10.(9) Samsung GT-B2710 / Xcover  

() = Last month’s position.

For the second month in a row it is no surprise that Apple’s iPhone 5 is on top of the best seller list, says Ulf Sandberg MD at Krusell. Supply of hard ware has been a problem for the stores, despite of the increased demand week over week. Until Christmas I think we can expect that Apple stays on top of the tree, he ends.

The Swedish manufacturer of carrying cases for portable electronics, Krusell, releases its Top 10-list for November 2012. The list is based on the number of pieces of custom made mobile- and smartphone cases ordered from Krusell during October 2012. Krusell’s list is unique due to the fact that it reflects the sales of phones on six continents and in more than 70 countries around the globe.

For more images or other press releases, please visit:

http://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/pressroom/krusell_international_ab

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Facts:

Krusell Group with 150 million SEK in turnover, an annual production of over 3 million cases, and more than 500 employees is a Swedish company exporting high-end cases around the world. After more than 20 years in the mobile phone industry, Krusell is established as one of the leading brands in its niche. Besides cases for smart phones, Krusell also produces cases for, laptops and Tablets. Moreover, Krusell are a subcontractor to Sony, Samsung, Sanyo, Honda, Toyota and LG. Krusell also market and distribute the brand Motorheadphones. The headquarters of Krusell are located in Mölndal, Sweden. For information about Krusell, please visit www.krusell.se

Jolla Sailfish preview

This is a preview from Jolla of their new Sailfish OS (based on MeeGo). Not much to see yet, but more announcements are on their way.