The channel has known for some months that Nokia handset warranties would be changed this spring. However it has emerged that not only will handsets sourced outside the EU lose their warranty cover but so will any existing non-EU stock already in circulation.
"It´s a bit of a sledgehammer" said MoCo Cell Link MD Ian Robinson.
"Our purchase orders say our suppliers must give us UK stock but how can you check? If it turns out to have come from the Middle East or Africa does that mean that we have to make good the warranty ourselves?"
According to SIM-free distributor Frequency Telecom Nokia had not made it plain that the new rules would apply retrospectively to stock bought and supplied prior to April.
"We´re frankly astounded that a global brand such as Nokia would risk what could be a serious level of customer negativity to its brand through this move" said Frequency Telecom MD Gareth Limpenny.
He warned it would leave a number of customers high and dry and some dealers and retailers out of pocket. "We accept Nokia´s view going forward but it seems wrong to remove warranties retrospectively."
Nokia head of communication Mark Squires insisted that the new rules on warranties were set up to protect UK distributors.
"If a distributor has sourced non-EU stock we will still look at it if that stock came to them through no fault of their own" he said. "There´s no reason to source outside your own market. These changes to our warranty agreements stop distributors from other regions setting up business in the UK."

Generation HERE is the product of research commissioned by Motorola. Sticklers might find it a little short on statistics but its creators call it a "qualitative snapshot" of the way 3G phones are used.
Report editor Peter Lyle said: "It isn´t difficult to get statistics about penetration but these do not tell the whole story of how new technology affects people´s lives."
One chapter is devoted to how handsets are used in courtship whether it is through video calling potential partners or through taking pictures and offering to send them on to get someone´s number.
Other observations include differences in video-call etiquette and the way commuters download electronic novels or comics on their 3G handsets.
The complete report can be downloaded from the Motorola web site.

The deal means European Telecom will now offer the Vonage service to its existing partners.
Vonage UK director of channel sales Sue Wheeler said: "From day one Vonage has received enquiries from small independent resellers keen to offer our VoIP service to their customers."
Unlike other Internet telephony (VoIP) services Vonage does not rely on a computer to make calls. Instead customers plug a conventional mobile handset and adapter into a broadband Ethernet modem to make calls.
European Telecom director of sales and marketing Frank Masson said: "Being able to offer Vonage VoIP will strengthen the hand of any reseller involved in discussions with small businesses about their technology needs."

It is unclear whether the Mo-Fi brand a contraction of the words mobile and hi-fi will be a registered BenQ Mobile sub-brand attached to all its music devices or a marketing tool devised specifically to promote just the E61.
BenQ Mobile is still discussing whether to trademark the name or to use it as a promotional brand in the way that the Poppy was attached to the Siemens CL75.
A BenQ Mobile spokesperson said: "It is still to be decided whether the brand is used on a global scale or just for one product. Whether it will be used as a sub-brand is up to the trademarking laws."
BenQ Mobile will launch four music devices this year. The E61 unveiled at CeBIT will be supported by a Poppy-style marketing campaign.
The BenQ EF51 which has a white casing and external music buttons is due in Q3. Two more music handsets are also expected.
BenQ´s flagship clamshell handset the EF81 will be supported by a global advertising campaign featuring Real Madrid footballer Ronaldo.

Ofcom auctioned off the 1781.7-1785MHz and 1876.7-1880MHz bands on April 20. The result is due this week.
The bandwidth is suitable for in-building or local WiFi networks. Licencees have freedom to use the spectrum as they wish.
The 14 companies bidding for the initial lot of spectrum included O2 Orange BT Colt Mobile Cable & Wireless and Opal Telecom.
Ofcom will grant up to 12 licences on the spectrum each with a reserve price of £50000.

The site will feature regular mobile device exclusives including the black Nokia 8800 previously unavailable in the UK.
However Nokia communications director Mark Squires denied this was a move to undercut dealers.
"We certainly don´t want them to feel this move will be detrimental" he said. "It is more a question of convenience for our customers rather than price-led."
The site will also promote and sell games photos and music.
Mats Wolontis managing director of Nokia UK said: "There is a growing market for SIM-free products the online shop will help us meet these demands and further develop our business."

A report in The Sunday Times on April 16 said that 3 UK would report losses of up to £1.5 billion when it files its 2004 results at Companies House in the next few weeks. 3 lost £972 million in 2003.
A 3 spokesperson said:
"2004 was the build phase of the business. We needed to compete in a highly competitive market. In December we broke even on earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation. We reached that milestone after just three years. And our ARPU is above average."
James Barford of Enders Analysis claimed in the article that 3´s customer numbers decreased in the second half of 2005 and its acquisition costs increased in the same period. Barford also suggested that 3´s churn has topped 50 per cent.

From June it will offer three- and four-minute match highlight clips on its mobile TV channel an hour after the final whistle. Trial pricing will be £1 a day or £5 a month for unlimited access. Highlights will also be available by video-calling the FIFA World Cup shortcode 2006 for 50p a minute.
A black version of the Samsung E370 handset embossed with a Three Lions´ logo and preloaded with 1966 World Cup video highlights and other content goes on sale on contract and pre-pay next month.
T-Mobile said that 86 per cent of the tickets it is allocated through its sponsorship deal will be made available to fans through marketing and promotions. The remainder will go to hospitality events. Ticket winners will receive free flight transfers and hospitality.
The network has also kitted out a fleet of tour buses to take fans to Germany and will lay on football parties for fans at home. The biggest will take place at Birmingham´s Millennium Point on June 9.
"David Beckham lifting the World Cup on July 8 would be amazing" said T-Mobile UK marketing director Phil Chapman.
"But even if he doesn´t we will have given T-Mobile customers the closest World Cup experience."

The move in-store continues a departure from the company´s online-only focus. easyMobile sales and marketing director Mike Lewis said: "We are extending our choice of payments to customers to give them more flexibility."
To buy their e-vouchers consumers hand over money at the store then receive a number that they then call or text at their leisure to claim call credit.
Lewis added: "The e-vouchers will be rolled out across range of retail outlets within the next few weeks. I am extending our payment methods to give consumers more choice."

The new stores are intended to showcase 3G music games video and user-generated content such as its SeeMeTV service. The stores will feature booths for customers to try content before purchasing it.
A 3 spokesperson said: "We are hitting the high street with a new breed of mobile store. Customers want to see and hear what they can get from 3G phones. The new experience-based stores are designed to deliver that.
"We offer some of the most talked-about mobile services on the market and the new stores are a great place for customers to drop in and see what we have to offer"
The new stores are all located in prime retail estate across the UK said the spokesperson. 3 already has 20 ThreeStores and 150 high-street retail spots in Superdrug stores.