Newly appointed Nokia chairman affirms faith in Windows Phone strategy

June 28, 2012 at 22:44 GMT | By John Williams

Nokia's recently appointed chairman, Risto Siilasmaa (pictured right, with Stephen Elop), has expressed faith in the Finnish giant's decision to go with Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system for their Smartphones. In a television interview on Finnish broadcaster Yle, Mr. Siilasmaa said:

For the first time in the history of technology, the Windows Phone 8 operating system makes it possible for users to have the same experience on a PC, tablet or smartphone, and for many people on their televisions via their gaming consoles, and to do the same thing almost seamlessly from one screen to the next.

It no secret that Nokia is facing an almighty battle, having been been recently been dethroned as the biggest handset maker by Samsung and had bonds downgraded to junk status. Nokia has struggled as it waits for sales of its new range of Windows-based products to replace the void left by its old Symbian software. Last week, Nokia warned that its second-quarter earnings will be worse than its previous guidance, prompting an additional round of mass layoffs at the company.

Some of the decisions taken by Finnish mobile-phone maker to correct its ailing business have been "extremely painful" but such decisions will be made "for as long as they are necessary," Mr. Siilasmaa said. "Our duty is above all to ensure that Nokia's competitiveness is restored," Mr. Siilasmaa said.

The chairman noted that although the company's share price has nosedived in recent weeks following the announcement of another round of job cuts, shareholders haven't deserted the company, and he urged them to think about what they believe in in the long term.

Responding to questions about why Nokia had abandoned the Symbian operating system in favor of Windows Phone, Mr. Siilasmaa said that Nokia's market share for Symbian-based phones had declined from a peak of nearly 60% since 2008, adding: "It was clear a year and half ago that we could no longer save Symbian."

Mr. Siilasmaa praised Chief Executive Stephen Elop's performance as "extremely analytical, critical, open and transparent" and he noted that a turnaround doesn't happen in a short period of time.

SOURCE: Market Watch

Want to keep up to date with the latest Windows Phone news, rumours, apps, games, etc? Just like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our feed and we will do the rest.

About the Author

John S. Williams

John fell in love with the Microsoft mobile platform the moment he laid his eyes on the indomitable HTC HD2. Currently an IT project manager, John devotes the little time he can spare to WPSF. Current device » Nokia Lumia 800