Nokia axes 450 Ovi workers

Nokia is doing some sculpting. Since last year, the Finnish mobile phone leader has been pressing hard in the field of software and services, and has rolled a broad range of outside services into its Ovi portal, such as Mapping, Gaming, Music, and cloud-based file sharing.

It's got a lot to offer, but apparently not obviously enough for users and at too great a cost for Nokia.

Today, the company announced that it is going to adjust its Services entities according to market demand, and eliminate about 450 employees. Additionally, the company says it will focus investments on fewer initiatives and more on integration with popular third party "enablers." Though Nokia did not list anyone by name, it noted that it would include a variety of image-sharing and social networking sites, and that all its mobile games would be included in the Ovi Store.

Its internal IT department, as well as its Compatibility and Industry Collaboration activities in its Corporate Development Office unit will experience cutbacks.

Further, when The Ovi Store debuts on Nokia smartphones next month, United States users will not have the option of carrier billing when purchasing apps, games, or music. When the company announced the Ovi Store at Mobile World Congress, it said that nine countries (Australia, England, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Russia, Singapore, Spain, and the United States) would include operator billing. Now, every country except the U.S. will have the ability to shop this way when The Ovi Store opens.