Reports that Nokia may sell its
handset business as part of a drive to develop its internet service offerings were denied by Nokia today.
The reports came on the back of an interview with Nokia marketing head Anssi Vanjoki.
Internet sites reported that, in an excerpt from the interview with German magazine Wirtschaftswoche, Vanjoki said a sale of Nokia's handset business cannot be ruled out as part of Nokia’s move to transform itself into an internet services provider.
He added Nokia should, 'never say never' to the possibility.
However in a statement today Nokia said: 'There has been news quoting
Anssi Vanjoki
that Nokia is considering to outsource its mobile phone production. This
statement does not at all correspond with what Mr. Vanjoki said nor what has been published in the original
interview. Our logistics and manufacturing are an important competitive
advantage, and a core part of Nokia's business .'
In the same interview Vanjoki said Nokia needed to
speed up Nokia's transformation into an internet services provider in the face of competition.