Largely as predicted, Nokia has announced 4,000 jobs are to be axed and a further 3,000 outsourced by the end of 2012 as the Finnish firm looks to restructure its business ready for Windows Phone 7.
The cut backs, which will see roles focusing on legacy software for Symbian shift to management consultants firm Accenture, will impact 12 percent of its phone unit workforce.
Reports suggest Nokia is looking to cut 1 billion ($1.46 billion) from its costs.
Clarity and cut-backs
Nokia confirmed that the majority of cuts will be made to its workforces in Denmark, Finland and the UK.
"At Nokia, we have new clarity around our path forward, which is focused on our leadership across smart devices, mobile phones and future disruptions," said Nokia president and CEO Stephen Elop in a statement.
"However, with this new focus, we also will face reductions in our workforce. This is a difficult reality, and we are working closely with our employees and partners to identify long-term re-employment programs for the talented people of Nokia."
Down with R&D
The move is being billed as a response to what outsiders have long pitched as excessive research and development costs, largely as a result of Nokia's leading role in Symbian.
By handing control over to Accenture, the firm will be able to focus its activities on Windows Phone 7, itself maintained and run by Microsoft.
Nokia's R&D costs will fall as a result, but so too will the number of jobs on the sector.
Nokia itself, however, claims only some areas of R&D will be cut back, adding that other sites will actually 'expand'.
"We are offering those who are losing their jobs a range of options, from individual re-employment support and re-training to making investments to promote innovation and working with a variety of partners to create new opportunities," Elop concluded.
[source: Nokia]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
Top Stories
News
5 hours, 8 minutes ago
King and Flexion partner to bring Candy Crush Saga to App Gallery and more alternative app stores
News
6 hours, 3 minutes ago
Zynga’s Game of Thrones: Legends is open for pre-registrations with a July 25th release date
Feature
8 hours, 25 minutes ago
Mobile Mavens: Are today's everlasting, live ops games holding back new innovation?
Feature
9 hours, 53 minutes ago
The key takeaway from Apple's AI-laden WWDC keynote? It's time to buy a new iPhone
Events
Tribeca Games Festival 2024 | North America | Jun 5th |
Steam Next Fest: June 2024 Edition | Jun 10th | |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
GamesForum Hamburg 2024 | Europe | Jun 11th |
ESI London 2024 | Europe | Jun 13th |
Game Con Canada (GCC) 2024 | North America | Jun 14th |
Indie Dev Play 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Popular Stories
Interview
Jun 5th, 2024
A galaxy far, far away… Why Star Wars: Hunters took six years to hit the target
as
Feature
Jun 3rd, 2024