UK Windows Phone 7 users may face long wait for NoDo update

UK owners of Windows Phone 7 devices may not receive the much-anticipated NoDo update, which contains the ability to copy and paste text, until some time during April or even May, after Microsoft published a timetable outlining the release schedule.

The timetable shows that UK customers on any of the major networks are unlikely to receive the update in March owing to vital testing and scheduling by Microsoft and the operators.

Vodafone, Orange, O2 and Three are all listed as "scheduling for the update", which means that, while they have tested the upgrade, Microsoft still has to prepare it for delivery, a process that "typically lasts 10 days or fewer".

The wait could be even longer for T-Mobile customers, as the new update and the first update issued in February to prepare devices for the NoDo release are still in testing mode.

However, even when the update has undergone testing and scheduling, it could take "several weeks" before customers receive notice that the update is available, as Microsoft's practice is to deliver in batches.

Eric Hautala, general manager for customer experience engineering at Microsoft, explained in a blog post that rolling out in batches reduces the risk of update problems, and that unlocked devices should start receiving the update this week.

"We intentionally deliver updates in batches, ramping up gradually to help ensure the process is as problem-free as possible. And so far, the copy and paste update is proceeding smoothly," he said.

"This week we're sending out the new update only to 'open market' Windows phones around the world. If you own one of these phones, you probably already know it: these are unbranded devices that aren't customised for a specific mobile operator."