Finnish giant Nokia, the world's leading mobile phone manufacturer, is considering opening a Mobile Virtual Network Operator in Japan, Kyodo News reports.

Nokia will rely on NTT DoCoMo's backbone, and offer phones from its luxury phone division only, Vertu. Nokia's global range of devices aren't well known in Japan, where only few are sold by Softbank and DoCoMo. Network operators in Japan make wide use of branding, and constrain handset design to their specifications, changing everything from looks to model name.

Vertu is Nokia's wholly-owned subsidiary, originally from Great Britain. The company's portfolio consists of three distinct collections - Vertu Signature, Vertu Ascent and Vertu Constellation, with special and limited editions, and different precious metal and colour combinations. Vertu is available exclusively in over 50 countries and in 500 of the finest watch, jewellery, department stores and Vertu boutiques around the world.

[via Cellular-News]