3 offers the Nokia 7600, after all

Mobile operator 3 has announced that it will start selling the Nokia 7600 handset for use on its third-generation network. The move comes after weeks of strong sales of the device through Carphone Warehouse outlets and despite 3's insistence that it would push only handsets that support its video-based services.

A month ago, a 3 spokesman declined to confirm the operator was negotiating to add the 7600 to its official roster of Motorola and NEC handsets. Today, in a statement 3 COO Gareth Jones said: "In order to meet the consumer demand and interest already being demonstrated in video mobile services, we're pleased to be offering customers Nokia's 3G handset through over 3,200 shops across the UK."

The operator emphasised that the 7600 now supports video mobile services such as ITN news bulletins, film clips and sporting action.

However, until now 3 has understandably publicised its users' ability to make person-to-person video calls, something that is next to impossible with the 7600 device, whose screen and camera are integrated on different sides.

A spokeswoman admitted that was the case but added: "We have agreed with Nokia that future devices will be supporting person-to-person video calling."

At the annual 3GSM show in Cannes in February, Carphone Warehouse CEO Charles Dunstone admitted the 7600 phones were selling like hot cakes, saying there must be "planes flying in [from Nokia manufacturing facilities in the Far East] to London and Stockholm to satisfy demand".

The announcement is also a positive one for Nokia, which at the end of last week issued a warning on its second-quarter figures.