Nokia has quietly shut down its longstanding online sales portal in the US after five years, following similar closures earlier this month in the UK and Spain. The portal was initially opened to offer interested customers easier access to unlocked phones and accessories, but has stated that the individual portals have become untenable thanks to the rise of third-party dealers that offer deeper discounts. All US Nokia online store links now redirect to Amazon.com.
Ironically, Nokia has also stated that it has become easier to purchase Nokia devices since the opening of its own sales portal, conveniently forgetting that the US sales portal was the only reliable outlet to purchase NAM hardware versions of both its midrange and flagship N and E series devices, as both AT&T and T-Mobile have not picked up the N8, E7, E6 or any other flagship Symbian^3 devices since AT&T canceled the previously planned X7 N8 variant earlier this year.
With the closure of the portal in the US, customers will have to go back to using Amazon or depend on third-party dealers, where availability of Nokia accessories and phones can vary wildly. Nokia Cares will still be available to address warranty issues for US customers.
