New Nokia Australia MD to address phone defect claims

The new managing director said he would steer the company through the controversy on the same course set by his predecessor.

"Regardless of who is at the helm, we take product quality and customer service very seriously. We continue our normal practice of investigating and monitoring all feedback given to us, and working with all appropriate external bodies," said Nicklos.

Nicklos joins Nokia Australia at an extremely tumultuous time. The mobile phone giant met with Fair Trading late last year to "discuss" a tide of user complaints and allegations that it is knowingly manufacturing faulty mobile phones and plans to conduct another meeting some time in February.

The Department is encouraging members of the public who have evidence that Nokia phones carry inherent design faults to come forward.

"The Department is continuing its investigation and would welcome input from ZDNet readers," said a Fair Trading spokesperson. "We ask ZDNet to provide any evidence that it has (as distinct from complaints and allegations) that a design fault exists", he added later in his statement.

The spokesperson was unable to confirm whether NSW Fair Trading has requested Nokia service records for the 8210, the model that has attracted the majority of customer complaints received by ZDNet Australia, which are held by its repair centres.

"The Department has sought evidence from the company in relation to this issue but is not in a position to publicly outline the nature of any material sought," he said. "The Department will not be in a position to make a public comment until the investigation is complete, and investigators are able to draw a conclusion from the evidence."

Meanwhile, the allegations that sparked controversy surrounding Nokia's mobile phones may start to surface closer to the company's home. ZDNet Australia has recently received complaints regarding the alleged phone defects from Nokia customers throughout Western Europe.

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Nice to see the new MD is sprouting all the good, toughy-feely phrases like "customer service", etc. I have contacted Nokia twice by e-mail regarding my 8210, the first time in November, and the second, early January. Nokia hAnonymous -- 21/01/02

Nice to see the new MD is sprouting all the good, toughy-feely phrases like "customer service", etc.

I have contacted Nokia twice by e-mail regarding my 8210, the first time in November, and the second, early January.

Nokia have so far only sent me an e-mail saying that if I were to provide my mobile number, they would contact me directly.

I sent them my number in early January, and have, of course, not heard a word since.

I will not under any circumstances purchase another Nokia phone.

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Me, my wife and three friends, all of whom own 8210's have had the same problem of the screen going blank, with a fairly strong twist of the phone to momentarily view the screen. Once the pressure is taken off the twist, the screen goes blank again. Anonymous -- 21/01/02

Me, my wife and three friends, all of whom own 8210's have had the same problem of the screen going blank, with a fairly strong twist of the phone to momentarily view the screen. Once the pressure is taken off the twist, the screen goes blank again.

One week before I recieved notification from ZDNet about this fault, I had contacted Nokia in Sydney and detailed the problems I was experiencing.

After being shunted around like a hockey puck, with each person less interested in speaking with me than the last, I was finally told that Nokia cannot be responsible for how people treat their phones and that fault is typical of a phone that has been mistreated or damaged.

I almost shot myself when I saw your story and realised that I did not get the name/s of the people/persons I spoke to at Nokia.

Thank you for an informative and up-to-date publication.

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Hi I have had 3 phones so far 8210 , they have replaced them all for major errors, lucky all under warrentyAnonymous -- 21/01/02

Hi

I have had 3 phones so far 8210 , they have replaced them all for major errors, lucky all under warrenty

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Somehow,my name has been associated with a complaint re Nokia phones.I cannot remember making a complaint as all the Nokia phones I have had and have,work OK.Upon requesting the contents of my complaint I was given a lot of technical data that meant nothiAnonymous -- 22/01/02

Somehow,my name has been associated with a complaint re Nokia phones.I cannot remember making a complaint as all the Nokia phones I have had and have,work OK.Upon requesting the contents of my complaint I was given a lot of technical data that meant nothing to me.
It's a little like walking past the fish markets.

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My 8210 screen goes blank after accepting the PIN and flashing up the Nokia welcome screen. I hear this is very common. I asked the Telstra shop for a refund and they refused, the assistant said whe had same problem but even as a Telstra employee, couldMichael Peters -- 04/03/02

My 8210 screen goes blank after accepting the PIN and flashing up the Nokia welcome screen. I hear this is very common. I asked the Telstra shop for a refund and they refused, the assistant said whe had same problem but even as a Telstra employee, couldnt get any more than a warranty repair. Nokia said I had to take the phone to a service centre and refused to give me my money back. Phone is 3 and 1/2 months old. I think Telstra knew they were selling me a phone that was likely to fail; so did Nokia. Anyone want to help me make Nokia's life hell until they give us refunds? Email me.

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I Purchased a mobile phone in the philippines a nokia 3530,in england its blocked,and needs a restriction code,cant get it unblocked,this model isnt available yet in england,can anybody helpDave Chamberlain -- 15/04/03

I Purchased a mobile phone in the philippines a nokia 3530,in england its blocked,and needs a restriction code,cant get it unblocked,this model isnt available yet in england,can anybody help

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plese help me from the poor service of nokcare in indiashabbir jamali -- 10/05/09

there is very poor service we are getting in india state{M.P} district khargone.so matimes i had given my piece to nokia care but they retured me as the problem was as it is.please help me i m very disappointed from last 3 month.give the number or mail address of md at india.

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