Sat 5 Sep 2009
I have just seen that the Nokia N900 is available for pre-order in some countries but South Africa is not on the list.
Be one of the first to get the Nokia N900 mobile computer. Available for preorder from your local Nokia online store, select your country to reserve the Nokia N900 today.
Netherlands, Sweden, UK, Italy, Germany, Finland, France
The more I read about this device (yes, it is more than a phone), the more I want one. I cannot wait to get my little paws on it and really give it a spin. Nokia SA, when can I get to play with one 
?
Technorati Tags: nokia, n900, pre-order
September 15th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
You not the only one. . . I’m waiting for it, and i just hope i ain’t waiting for nothing. Can someone please tell me if i’m not wasting my time. . .
September 19th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hi Marius,
I am trying to Pre-order the Nokia N900 from Nokia SA but am failing dismally!! Is there any way to do this or would I have to order it from Europe? If I am forced to order it from Europe, would it be unlocked to SA and would it be in english script? Please reply as soon as you have some information for me Marius.
Many thanks
Michael
September 19th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Michael
In SA all cellphones are distributed through the mobile operators like MTN, Vodacom etc, so you would not be able the get it directly from Nokia SA. Check with either MTN or Vodacom. Also I am not sure whether it will or when it will be available in SA. I have asked Nokia SA and their PR person said she will let me know. If you use Twitter then you can follow her there — @tms233 is her twitter name.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I asked Tania Steenkamp the Nokia PR person and unfortunately she said
“The #N900 will not be ranged in SA at this stage – it going to a few select markets only for now” (http://twitter.com/TMS233/statuses/4313642061)
So it looks like ordering it from overseas is the only way to get one (which means no support). Amazon is selling it cheaper than other stores by the look of it, just not sure what the implications of ordering from the states are (I think they use a different type of network or something)? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OB49SW?ie=UTF8&tag=wotdk-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002OB49SW
September 29th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Thanks Joel.
Yes you are correct. The States and the rest of the world use different 3G frequencies. Sometime the manufacturers put all in one phone or other times they have specific models for America. It looks like the Nokia N900 falls in the first category so would be no problem buying one on Amazon.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:46 am
hey China,
thanks for this. I’m also waiting for the N900. Don’t think Amazon will ship this outside of the US. Doing a trip to the US in November. Hopefully it will be out by then. I’ve been bitten by buying ‘locally unsupported’ hardware. But can’t help myself.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
South African frequencies are compatible with European and not American. You can import from anywhere in Europe and expect it to work.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
look at the n900 specs. It supports both European and American frequencies…
October 15th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Hi, can anyone help me how to get an original cover for nokia 9300i in south africa.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Hi Jan .. I have no idea but if you use twitter then suggest you contact Tania Steenkamp via it. She is the PR person for Nokia SA.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Hi peeps… The Nokia N900 and X6 is available on bidorbuy.co.za. Follow link: http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/17009377/Nokia_N900_Unlocked_Import_Black_32GB.html
November 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I do not know where this phone comes from but it is only released in US on 14 Nov and UK on 16 Nov. It can be pre=ordered on Amazon for around $550. There is some pre-release (like beta in software) phones floating around …
November 15th, 2009 at 10:18 am
The N900 was officially released 11 Nov. But not in ZA. I’ve decided to create the demand in this country. So I phoned Nokia and asked for it (011 208 1800). I phoned Nashua Mobile (my SP) twice, asking for it. Ran into a Nokia rep and asked her for it (she’ll get back to me wrt whether MTN will be bringing it in); said that it wasn’t on MTN Q1 2010 roadmap that was presented last week. Does not look like Vodacom will make it available.
So…. the more of us who phone Nokia and our respective service providers the more perceived demand there should be and hence better chance for us having the phone available and supported in our country.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Oops! Nokia phone number is 0861 166 542
November 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
There was a Nokia event here in Cape Town last week and the N900 and 3G Notebook was shown/launched. I asked one of the guys that was invited (how does one get invited to these things?) whether they mentioned whether SA would get the N900. And his words to me was that Nokia said that it should be available in SA in a couple of months, ie Q1 of 2010.
Now whether MTN or Vodacom would have it as part of their range, I would not know. Have some contacts at MTN so will try to find out.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Best place I’ve seen to buy from the states besides Amazon:
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=thispage&thispage=01100250U023_BCA1383P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!
I really want to buy one, but the shipping delays are going to be months. If anyone knows where I can get one locally, let me know!
December 11th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
There appears to be quite a bit of confusion in terms of when this phone will land. From my sources’ sources at Nokia I can say that the N900 will be in South Africa in 2010. Nokia states Q2 2010 (read April 2010) but Nashuamobile and Autopage mumble something along the lines of mid-January.
I suspect that they may all be right, with there being a subtle variation in the definition of the word “available”. Nokia: available to the public. Others: available in the country, i.e. networks, service providers and ICASA get to assess prior to release.
January 12th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Spoke with Nokia last week. They say their first shipment lands at the end of this month. So we should be able to start pestering our service providers then.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Thanks, that is good news. Now we will have to see who is going to carry it and under what packages and cost.
January 13th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Saw them on sale on http://www.cacell.co.za
January 13th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
After reading the product description and taking specific note of the supported languages, I suspect it is an imported phone. So it would not have the ICASA stickers and may not be fully supported (warranty) by Nokia South Africa or the service providers.
January 13th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
That is my comment on the cacell link from Paul
January 14th, 2010 at 7:32 am
Catfud, agree with … the phones from cacell are grey imports and one needs to be carefull. In anycase, why would I buy one if I can get it free on a contract at one of the providers.
April 6th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Ive been waiting for this N900 and no one seems to know when its coming, even nokia in vodaworld says they were promised last month but it never came so they dont know when its coming….i opted for the X6 it is a crap phone and im taking it back, i guess ill have to wait for the N900 after all
April 6th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
What I’ve done is finally “upgrade” my MTN contract to contain costs (couldn’t take the upgrade reminders any longer). Instead of taking one of the better phones I negotiated a cheap phone (Nokia 1208) – because apparently I have to take a phone – and R3500 Gift Card. This is with my current service provider Nashua. Autopage offered me R3000 and no phone for the same deal.
The intention is to either wait till N900 officially enters the country or take the plunge when the price on sites like CaCell becomes very attractive. Over the pas 2 months the CaCell price has been as high as R6399 and as low as R5399. I’m waiting for a dip below R5000
April 21st, 2010 at 11:46 am
ive got a nokia N900
make me offers
April 23rd, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Spoke with NOKIA AA yesterday. N900 arrived in ZA end of Feb / beginning March. Phones have been supplied to network operators for certification testing. Our service providers should tells where and when we can get the phones BUT they’re clueless.
Spent time today at MTN walk in services centre trying to get one of their agents to give me the number of the right people to contact at MTN. No success. even though they were quite helpful in verifying that the phones are being tested. I couldn’t convince anyone to let me pay for a phone and join the test group. They did say if it will be released it will be another month or so.
Anyway, will keep trying.
April 29th, 2010 at 5:14 am
I’ve spoken to MtnSP and they assured me the phone will be available from the 20th of May! So it’s not too much longer. Hopefully it will even be out a little earlier than that. I haven’t seen any ads or anything for it yet either?
April 29th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Gerhard, who’d you speak to at MTNSP? Every single person I spoke (phoned head office, walked into shops and MTN walk in centre) could not confirm anything about the phone.
I hope your information is correct. I can’t wait. My 6110′s falling apart now so I really need a new phone.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I just phoned and spoke to some random at Mtn Direct.I phoned again today,and again was told it should all be good by then.They don’t know what the packages are going to be yet etc.I can’t wait for this phone either.My N95 goes blank every time I slide it closed!I’m just going to keep phoning them every week until they let me have one!The N8 looks awesome too,but that’s probably going to take another year to get here!
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 pm
I spoke with Nashua Mobile today and achieved the following:
1. Confirmation that the pricing will be released this month, meaning most likely the 6th since that is Nashua’s pricing cycle (seems to be similar with all other SPs)
2. Got my name on the list of people to contact the moment the pricing is available, i.e. I’ll phone them at 12:00 on 6 May if I don’t hear from them sooner.
On the N8. I don’t think it is a wise substitute for the N900 if you are excited about the N900 because of the endless customisability for OSS afficinados.
N900 pricing. Let’s run a poll on what the out right cash price of the N900 will be. I say R8500. If it is that, then Nokia ZA will lose another 1000 (guessing a little) sales of the N900; assuming a 1000 has already been grey imported.
May 5th, 2010 at 5:07 am
Well throw a post up when you’ve phoned them at 12 today and let me know what they said! Thanks! I might give Mtn Direct another stalker phone call as well!
May 6th, 2010 at 5:45 am
You think that much? I’ve seen ads on the net with them going for just under R6000.
May 6th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
NashuaMobile says the price list will be out tomorrow. So I’ll try again tomorrow.
Price wise, I was talking about the price it would be selling for from the South African service providers. Off the net I’ve seen as low as R4988 landed cost. But then it is a gray import and you won’t get the 24month warranty from Nokia ZA.
May 11th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Phoned Mtnsp yesterday and was told the N900 is no longer going to be used…something about not being supported by the network? I’m shocked. I’m trying to find out now if Vodacom is going to be selling it, because I’ll just port over as my contract is expired anyway! If I can’t get the N900 anymore I’m just going to get the lousy X6, can’t wait around for the n8 to be released!
May 11th, 2010 at 7:15 am
I have actually decided not to wait and have switched to HTC Android phone. Have ordered my HTC Desire over the weekend and would have it hopefully by the end of the week. MTN do have that on contract.
May 11th, 2010 at 9:12 am
bought my N900 from Autopage in Sandton City yesterday for R4999.99. the phone is ICASA approvedit is the CACell phone. they have more stock. i am loving it.
The other service providers are saying sometime this moonth.
Gerhard I’m sorry you missed out on the opportunity.
May 13th, 2010 at 5:35 am
Asked Tania Steenkamp on Twitter, seems to be false information the Mtn call operators gave me. Mtn will be stocking the N900, they’re just finishing up testing now! Damn am I relieved! I’ve probably spent my entire free minute allocation on hold to Mtn the last few days! Crazy! So Catfud…as good as it seems?
May 13th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Not to worry Gerhard. I spoke to a guy from Nokia who visited our company and he said also that there is no truth in the rumour that the Nokia N900 will not be here. He mentioned that it should become available on the networks towards the end of May, beginning June.
May 13th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
That’s great news! You’d think Mtn would let their employees know what’s happening! There was one one there that even knew the N900 existed! Chewing my nails off I’m so excited
May 26th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Its all gone quite… No new updates? I also heard June at the beginning of the month. Guess now we get to see the new iphone and HTC specs before we get the n900. N900 still looks best to me
May 26th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Sometimes I have to laugth how slow things take to get to us here in SA. Today a new firmware, version 1.2, is rolled out to N900 users with OTA (Over The Air). Will probably take another 100 years before that update gets to any users in SA, even if we lucky to get hold of a N900
May 26th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I know! And I’ve practically been stalking Tania Steenkamp on Twitter and I managed to get hold of someone at Mtn that “seems” to know what’s happening. He emailed me on Friday and said only late July now? So I don’t know anymore. Was meant to be second Q and we’re heading into 3rd already! Just about over it! I’ll wait a little longer though and keep stalking
May 26th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Sigh @ late Jul :/ By that time we can start wishing for the n8….
May 26th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
By the time the phone is released through the network providers all of us who want one will have bought it over the net or elsewhere. So they’ll end up with stock that nobody wants.
Anyway, I love my N900. Broke it (over zealously cleared space for OTA software upgrade), fixed it (flash device). Running Maemo and Debian in parallel. Flashing it with the PR1.2 release in the next few days.
May 27th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Have a look at the add for Nashua Mobile and Altech Autopage on the left towards the bottom of the page: http://www.maemo.ch/n900-firmware-pr-1-2-full-change-log-bug-fixes/1475
Looks like two service providers may just be playing ball.
May 31st, 2010 at 8:19 am
I don’t understand how this service provider business works? I’ve got Mtn as my service provider now, does that mean I would have to port my contract if I want to get the phone from Nashua or Autopage? Just emailed Mtn now, but I’ll give them a call later as well just to see what they say!
June 7th, 2010 at 3:35 am
I want the nokia n900 so bad i need it now let me know when it is ready 0842122650
June 8th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Well now that the new iphone is out….
I still want an n900.
June 15th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Hi. I’m due on a upgrade Nov 2010.
I’m stuck on deciding between Nokia n900 an X6, but now the N8 looks so promising.
My requirements on a phone is GPS, Camera 5 mp and more and great internet access ( i google and facebook alot, so if I can load up photo’s straight from my phone it would be perfect)
Could anyone give me some advise please?
June 15th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Tasha … I have just switched to the HTC Desire and what a great phone … has all you need, GPS, 5mp camera and the best internet access (Wifi and Mobile) . tightly integrated with Google and its FB app is great .. also great with twitter if you use that.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Well cellc now has the n900 on their website and it is available on on of there business contracts. Hopefully mtn will follow soon.
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:31 pm
I went to Vodacom yesterday to ask them about the N900, and they told me that they will not be releasing the n900 now, because they just released the nokia e72. So they want sales to pick up on them and then some time after the FIfa world cup they will release the n900 and maybe the N8!!! But lets wait and see.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Apparently MTN is also in a new phone release freeze until after the world cup. Will just have to wait another 3 weeks. (and then maybe another 3 weeks, waiting for them to get into the swing of normal business post 2010)
June 24th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I decided to go for the HTC desire… what a great phone… I just cant access my storage card from the phone which is confusing or lame if not possible… anybody here know how to access it?
Kind Regards
June 24th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Jakes, I also went for the Desire and has the same issue with the SD Card. It is a problem with inferior SD Cards that HTC supply with the phone. Nothing wrong with your phone. See my other blog where I posted about it .. http://www.mariusb.net/blog/
I am going to try and have my SD Card replaced by a new one …
July 1st, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Eagerly waiting for the N900 as well since November last year. Anybody can take a guess what contract this phone will fall under? I guess it’s better to buy it cash or something.
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:36 am
Mtnsp are officially not going to stock the N900, so if anyone here is waiting for them to get it there’s no point. I’m going to port to Nashua!
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
It seems like I’m going to have to jump ship as well. @Gerhard, where did you get the info?
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Vodacom’s 2nd ‘rigor’ test failed. Waiting for more phones. Autopage has got it on contract, but you will pay R1200 in as well. R12000 over 2 years. Going to buy it cash rather.
July 2nd, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Denver Chetty at Mtnsp let me know via email. Tania Steenkamp also told me on twitter that they approved it but they haven’t ordered. Hope Nashua is ok…
July 8th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
…ahright guys MTN is getting N900 right after the World cup i heard from an inside source. with reguards to Nokia N8, it will be released in August the 24th and SA might get it atleast September…
N8 is my next phone.
…where my Nigerian connects at? kikikiki
July 8th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Marius, thanks for your reply, I got a solution. Try downloading OI file manager for your Desire, that makes it possible to access your sd card. Works fine
Kind Regards
July 8th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Jakes, accessing the sdcard is not the problem. The phone just loose write access to the card after a while but reading the card is fine. I do have a file manager app.
July 10th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
ViceHybrid,where did you get your info? I was told by them that they are not getting the N900? I was going to port to Nashua this week! Your making things complicated! Haha
July 10th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Just checking in. The N900 I bought from AutoPage Cellular in Sandton City is still going strong. Updated firmware, got more features. Using Debian change root image to install my Linux apps. I love my mini netbook. Best phone I’ve ever had.
July 13th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I second Gerhard’s request. ViceHybrib, where did you get your info?
I had 3 MTN SP shop owners tell me that I’m out of luck, the N900 will not be stocked by MTN.
July 14th, 2010 at 9:46 am
I heard the phone was coming after the world cup. How does cell C have it already and we don’t even have a concrete date on the n900?
http://www.cellc.co.za/devices/page/devices/0/1
July 14th, 2010 at 10:22 am
@David, it is really irritating me as well. The N900 is also available via AutoPage and Nashua Mobile. MTN has been testing the N900 since somewhere in April. Somewhere in MTN somebody must just put in the order to Nokia SA and then the phone will be available.
I think MTN was so busy with their world cup sponsorship responsibilities that they totally forgot about their bread and butter client base.
What’s worse is that you get a different answer from each MTN SP store you phone. I’ve had the following in the last week
* MTN is not going to get the N900
* Vodacom has the exclusive rights to stock the N900
* Call us again in August
* It’s not on our list
blah blah blah blah
Sorry I’m putting the rant monster back in its box
July 16th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Ok so I heard that the service providers were not rolling out any new phones until after the World Cup, so HOPEFULLY at the beginning of the month we will see something happening. A mate of mine showed me a list of available phones from Vodacom that listed the N900, apparently you can get it through Vodacom, so…. MTN???? Lagging behind just for a change?????
July 16th, 2010 at 9:07 am
So via MTN Active Queries, the sales department has contacted me informing me that the N900 will only be available in September.
July 16th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Man! What is it with this phone and our SP’s???
It’s here…it’s tested. WHAT’S SO *&^%$#@+ HARD???????
July 16th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Received this from mtn today
Kindly note that the Nokia N900 will not be available with MTN, we have tested this handset and it did not pass the standard requirements of our Network Services.
We do regret this and hope you will find it in good order.
So sad…..
July 16th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
mmmm i just cant give up on this phone and guess what i found on page 8…. The n900 is on their list!?! So now im even more confuzled :/
http://www.autopage.biz/support-files/New%20Pricing/June2010/MTN/MTN%20New%20Contract%20Pricelist%20Talk%20Packages%20June%202010.pdf
July 16th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
@David, Firstly it seems as if MTN SP does not their head from their @55.
In short the phone is available via Autopage, Nashua Mobile and Cell C. If you go over to Autopage / Nashua Mobile you can still get the phone on the MTN Network.
In SA the cellphone industry is split into 2 layers. Service providers and Network providers. SPs manage customers and billing. NPs manage infrastruture. If new phone becomes available the SPs test it on the NPs networks and judge how well it will perform and how many customer issues it might trigger. It seems as though MTN SP decided the phone will cause too many support calls. Something they started sucking at in the last 4 years if you ask my opinion
July 21st, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I am afraid that the local cellphone industry is quickly following the same route as the speedcops. They are creating a culture of ignorance, distrust and frustration. I have no doubt that they also will in future reap the fruit.
I have also seen that ubiquitous IP connectivity through local networks are becoming a serious threat to cellular network operators in developed countries.
Please do not complain when this industry becomes the victim of their own greed.
Where is my N900?
Why can I get a N900 in Ghana, but not at MTNSP, MTN Corporate, MTN Corporate Warehouse?
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Purchased an N900 from CaCell a month ago for R4850. So far it’s the best gadget I’ve owned. There is a problem with Mail for Exchange support on it for Exchange 2003 – it works and then doesn’t and then works again (that’s with the latest phone firmware PR1.2).
Once you get it go check out http://www.maemo.org. Lots of apps an they are all free.
Ovi maps suck but at least you can download the maps and have them available offline but you still need an internet connection if you want to search or route. Sygic has released a version for Maemo but no map support for SA yet (they say they will have soon).
Oh yes and the best part……download and install ssh from Maemo.org. You can ssh to or from your phone.
Firefox has released a browser for Maemo. It works pretty damm well and you can sync your bookmarks / passwords between your phone and PC browser.
Another must have app to get is Showtime. It syncs with the DSTV schedule and you set up alerts in your phone calender to remind you when a program starts.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Dont tell me all this stuff! Thanks to MTN it doesnt look like im gonna be getting a n900 :-/
Instead gonna start the long wait for the n8….
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Sorry, hehe. Did I mention how good the graphics are, the 5MP camera and 32GB built-in storage? Downloaded and played Doom the other day and it’s the same as on a pc apart from the small keyboard.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Jumping ship to Nashua Mobile today.
@MTN SP, no hard feeling
July 30th, 2010 at 5:13 am
Yeah, doing the same. Porting across today, I was just waiting for my contract to expire with lousy MtnSP!
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Just picked up my N900 from Nashua Mobile. Now to get through the work day. Fingers are itching like mad
August 10th, 2010 at 5:56 am
I got mine 5 days ago. The definition of torture is having a N900 and you have to wait 5 days and counting for the port to go through. Can’t use my old sim because it isn’t a 3g card! I hope it goes through today! The phone itself is crazy good though…it was worth the wait!
August 20th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
I was told by 2 different MTN shops that they will be offering the Nokia N900 in early September and the Nokia N8 in late September… Nokia has been ordered by MTN, they don’t have the top connection and the 100% requirements they need for this phone…but… they’re giving it a shot… That’s SiCk.