T-Mobile to sell unlocked and subsidized Nokia handsets through Best Buy?
By Will Park on Friday, November 7th, 2008 at 12:49 PM PST In Nokia, Rumors, T-Mobile
Unlocked handsets are most definitely the way to go in the GSM market. Without any SIM locks to keep you bound to a specific GSM network, unlocked handsets give the user the freedom to roam the world with the knowledge that they’ll be able to hope on voice and data networks almost anywhere.
And, so, talk of Best Buy preparing to sell unlocked handsets is high on our rumor-watchlist. Word on the street is that Best Buy will be selling unlocked Nokia (NYSE: NOK) handsets with and without contract-pricing. Best Buy is rumored to be offering Nokia handsets like the Nokia E71, Nokia N95, and Nokia N96 in unlocked form, complete with T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) subsidies.
If true, we’ll be seeing Best Buy selling what could very well be the first unlocked, on-contract handset.
The T-Mobile Nokia E71 is expected to hit Best Buy for $200 when purchased with new two-year contract – compared to the unsubsidized, unlocked price of $460. The T-Mobile Nokia N95 will reportedly run $350 after subsidies and the T-Mobile Nokia N96 will be priced at an on-contract $600 price-point.
We’ll keep a close eye on this one.
[Via: TmoNews]
Hope it pushes through… This will give subscribers freedom in choosing their provider, also to consider shopping for the best plan. Good move for Nokia– this will drive up sales for them, this is also good for t-mobile— for starting the open line policy— now other phone companies will either join them or adjust their price rates to keep up with this deal. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your opinions and other updates
Indeed. Check out the IntoMobile podcast, we talk about T-Mobile’s pioneering move today!
IntoMobile’s “The Signal” Podcast
Hope it pushes through… This will give subscribers freedom in choosing their provider, also to consider shopping for the best plan. Good move for Nokia– this will drive up sales for them, this is also good for t-mobile— for starting the open line policy— now other phone companies will either join them or adjust their price rates to keep up with this deal.