mocoNews - Nokia Remains On Track With Ovi Launch; Contends It Never Promised Carrier Billing From The Start

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) said today that its Ovi Store is on track for next month's launch, despite reports yesterday suggesting that it was behind because U.S. consumers wouldn't be able to pay for applications on their phone bill starting from day one.

In a Reuters article, it reported yesterday that Nokia was dropping "U.S. operator billing from Ovi launch," which they said represented a shift in plans (MocoNews picked up the story here.) It said Nokia had originally promised that Ovi would offer operator billing in nine countries, including the U.S. In a statement issued by Nokia today, it said that's not true. "Ovi store billing and rollout strategy remains on track. We still plan for both carrier & credit card (options which may roll out in different phases) and are in active discussion with all major operators, including those in the U.S. We'll provide updates as those plans progress."

A spokesman would not say which countries would offer carrier billing from the start, and if the U.S. was the only exception. "We will have further details at launch regarding partners and carriers, and I don't have any additional information at this point." The one confirmed carrier at this point is T-Mobile International (not T-Mobile USA). When I went back to check an interview I conducted in February when Nokia announced the store at Mobile World Congress, the message seemed to be consistent. Nokia's VP of Product Development for Media George Linardos told mocoNews: "Since we'll be launching with credit card and carrier billing in some of the markets, it's a very mature offering."