Nokia teams with AT&T Mobility for new 3G flip phone

Nokia Corp.’s 6555, a clamshell model with dedicated keys to access content, launched at AT&T Mobility for $50 after a $50 rebate, with two-year contract. The device supports the carrier’s W-CDMA network.
The 6555 appears to be the third 6000-series flip phone from the Finnish handset vendor at the largest U.S. carrier. In that sense, the handset reflects Nokia’s continued efforts to grow its tenuous foothold with leading carriers in the U.S. market-even while launching an ambitious “Ovi” service that ultimately will bypass the carriers for end-user access to Nokia’s own content.
The 6555 offers a key to access AT&T Mobility’s streaming video content. A dedicated MEdiaNet key connects to the carrier’s mobile Web portal. The phone has 30 megabytes of onboard memory that is upgradeable to four gigabytes with an external memory card.
The vendor said the device was “a direct result” of its collaboration with the carrier to provide products tailored to the carrier’s customers.
“This device represents the first U.S. carrier, co-developed product to come out of our North American-focused, R&D site in San Diego,” said Laurie Armstrong, a Nokia spokeswoman. “It really is a great example of how Nokia is changing its mode of operation in North America.”