Nokia reports 42% sales leap

Nokia has reported a leap of 42% in its software sales to €119m (£94m), quashing fears that economic woes would hit the handset maker. It revealed the growth in its results for the quarter ending June 30 today (July 17).

The Finnish company sold 122 million phones during the period, beating analysts’ forecasts by 2 million. It has raised its forecast for the mobile phone industry, predicting that volume will grow 10% or more this year. Nokia’s overall net sales were up by 4% on the previous year to €13.2bn (£10.4bn).

Nokia chief executive, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, says: “Looking at the rest of the year, we are optimistic and have good feedback about the broad range of new products we expect to sell.”

Warner Music Group became the latest record label to join Nokia’s Comes With Music service at the start of this month. The service allows consumers to download music for 12 months and then keep it for as long as they own the device or transfer to a PC. An advertising push is expected later this year. EMI is the only major label not to sign up.