Nokia skips Australia in Symbian Belle roll-out

Nokia has this week rolled out the major Symbian Belle update to its customers in many places around the world, but it seems that Australia will have to wait longer before the update is available for Aussie handsets.

The new user interface on the Symbian Belle update.
(Credit: Nokia)

A Nokia spokesperson told CNET Australia that the company is "in discussions with operators on this, but do not have anything to share at this time". A similar message came from a Vodafone rep on the telco's customer blog, saying "We're still in discussions with Nokia around the release of this update locally, but have nothing to confirm at this stage."

Posting to Nokia's Discussions blog in January, forum member "andrewaussie" claims to have received a message from Telstra in regards to the update, after making an inquiry. Telstra's response read, "Nokia have not provided firm timelines on the 'Belle' update yet. We do plan to do this update for at least the N8, but as of now do not have any timelines we can communicate".

All statements suggest that the update is yet to begin the testing phase at the Aussie telcos, and that it might be months, not weeks, before the telcos can green-light the update locally.

The anticipation of an extended delay is reminding members of the Nokia Discussions forum of the four-month delay that Aussies endured while waiting for the previous major update to the Symbian platform, codenamed Anna.

"I didn't think it could much worse after waiting for three and a half months for a late Anna update, but then I find out it has gotten worse; I'd rather it be late than be treated in this manner — cold shoulder with vague statement of more uncertainty," says forum member a340500.