The world's largest mobile phone maker says the handset it's developing for China's 3G mobile telecommunications standard, Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access, will use the Symbian OS.

Nokia is also developing the handset around the S60 software platform designed for smartphones that use Symbian, the company said in a statement.

The device will be launched in China by the end of 2008.

The company also asserted its support for TD-SCDMA technology.

"Our goal is to not only develop TD-SCDMA products that can deliver outstanding user experiences to consumers, but also to work with operators, chipset providers, developers and all parties along the value chain to support the creation of a vibrant TD-SCDMA ecosystem in China," Nokia said in the statement.

On Tuesday, China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone service provider, revealed plans to launch the TD-SCDMA-based Nokia handset.

The device will be Nokia's first for TD-SCDMA and will face a lot of competition from Chinese vendors and South Korean rivals Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.

There are more than 100 handsets available for TD-SCDMA , according to the TD-SCDMA Forum, an industry trade group.

TD-SCDMA is China's home grown 3G technology and is currently only used in China.

Source: IDG News