Not So Fast - Nokia Predicts Lengthy Transition to WP7

"Nokia today provided more colour on its high-profile deal with Microsoft, claiming that it will take until 2013 for Windows Phone-powered devices to make up the majority of its smartphone portfolio. In its Form 20-F 2010 report, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission this morning, Nokia stated that "we expect the transition to Windows Phone as our primary smartphone platform to take about two years." It added that while Microsoft will continue to license Windows Phones to its rivals, Nokia expects the deal to enable "opportunities to innovate and customise on the Windows Phone platform, such as in imaging... with a view to differentiating Nokia smartphones from those of our competitors who also use the Windows Phone platform.""

While the industry has been abuzz about the Microsoft-Nokia deal, it seems like it will take some time for things to settle into a steady state. Mobile Business Briefing is reporting that it could take until 2013 until the Microsoft platform makes up the majority of the Nokia smartphone offerings. Nokia is reportedly planning to continue development and deployment of their Symbian phones during this period and plans to release a MeeGo-based device as well.

Interestingly, this shouldn't really be that big a surprise. It is near impossible to make a shift of this kind in a short period of time. There is an installed base of Symbian phones and users that needs to be attended to, and the sheer effort required to manufacture devices on a new platform takes time. It seems Nokia has a reasonable plan that goes some way to protect existing consumers and their investments, and allows them to transition with less disruption than might otherwise occur.