Latest Nokia range targets business market

New handsets use a mix of 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Nokia is making a major push for the business market with three new phones forming a new generation of hardware for corporate accounts.

The new handsets, the E60, E61 and E70, are fully functional business phones using a mix of 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Nokia has also set them up to work with RIM, which manufactures the BlackBerry email client.

"We are extending our consumer franchise to business users and addressing their unique requirements," said Mary McDowell, executive vice president of enterprise solutions at Nokia.

"This is an opportunity to take mobility for business from the office and extend it across the business. But it's not as simple as just handing an employee a device. You need to show how it's used."

Nokia believes that the integration of third-party software into the phones is a key selling point.

Cisco has partnered with the Finish manufacturer to put its Wi-Fi software on the phones so that users can switch to the best transmission service as needed.

Bob Emmerson, an industry consultant specialising in convergent technologies, said: "The advantages of dual-mode technology are well understood and Cisco is well positioned to enable mobility for its large installed base of wireless local area networking and IP telephony systems.

"Customers can therefore gain the benefits of fixed/mobile convergence almost immediately by adding the new Nokia business-optimised devices to their existing environment."

The E60 is optimised for voice, the E61 comes with a keyboard very like the Palm Treo's and the E70 also comes with a Qwerty keyboard.