Nokia Corp. said Tuesday it expects global sales of mobile phones to grow by 10 percent in 2007 and presented four new handsets for mid-range and entry-level customers. But the company also cut its operating margin targets, AP reported. The world's largest maker of mobile phones said its closely watched operating margin will suffer from the start of the Nokia Siemens Networks operations, a joint venture that will combine Nokia's network business group and Siemens' carrier-related operations. The new handsets will hit the market early next year, and include three mid-range units that will cost between ¤200 and ¤325 (US$260 and US$425), and a ¤75 (US$99) phone aimed at customers in emerging markets, Nokia said. The models include the 13.1 millimeter (0.52 inch) thin 6300 camera phone, which with its slim design is likely meant to compete with Motorola Inc.'s compact RAZR model. The 6290 handset, meanwhile, was billed by Nokia as its first mid-level 3G smartphone. At its Capital Markets day presentation in Amsterdam, the Finnish company said industrywide shipments of mobile phones will be up 10 percent next year from the 970 million units it estimates will be sold in 2006. However, it lowered its operating margin targets to 15 percent during the next one to two years, down from the 17 percent goal it set in December 2005. Nokia also tightened targets for its mobile phone and multimedia division, saying it would aim for a 17 percent operating margin over the next two years rather than the 17 percent to 18 percent set out last December. Nokia shares fell 1.7 percent to ¤15.25 (US$20.05) in Helsinki trading.
