A software glitch in three of Nokia's top-selling phone models could render one of every 10 cell phones in the United States useless when Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless begin to upgrade mobile networks this year. The handsets in Nokia's 2100, 5100, and 6100 series (more than 21 models total, sold in the U.S. and Canada since 1997) will not be able to connect to the higher speed networks unless Nokia either recalls and reprograms the phones or collaborates with wireless network carriers to modify the technology underlying the migration from second generation (2G) to third generation (3G) networks.

Both Sprint and Verizon plan to deploy 3G networks in phases, beginning in October and ending by 2004. The new 3G technology enhances carriers' ability to conduct voice and data, significantly increasing transmission speed while simultaneously decreasing handset battery consumption. This will enable you to use your mobile phone for much more than simply reading e-mail: You will be able to surf the Web or watch video clips at broadband speeds, dial directly into your company's intranet, or access software applications to perform functions such as downloading slides for a presentation.

Subscribers interested in these services must buy new handsets. But the issue is whether subscribers who don't want the new applications can continue using their current handsets to connect to 3G networks for voice calls and data transfer at lower speeds. For owners of Nokia 2100, 5100, and 6100 phones, the answer is "no." As of October, when the first phase of the migration to 3G networks is scheduled to be completed, these handsets will not be able to link to wireless networks at all.

Why is Nokia, the world's largest wireless phone manufacturer, in such a bind? The answer lies in how Nokia translated research data on the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard, a common 2G network. Had the company followed 2G CDMA specifications when developing 2G phones, these older phones would be able to access the new 3G networks for analog voice service, at the very least.

What does all this mean for you if you own a Nokia series 2100, 5100, or 6100 phone, or were planning on purchasing one this year (The newest generation of Nokia phones, due to ship in 2002, does not contain the glitch)? Because recalling millions of phones would be nearly impossible, Nokia prefers to resolve the problem by placing a software patch in the 3G network infrastructure. Nokia is working with wireless network systems manufacturers, including Lucent, to develop such a patch to be loaded into base stations, allowing the older phones to tap into the 3G networks.

While a software patch would benefit Nokia most, and Sprint and Verizon are committed to finding a solution, experts agree it will take 30 to 45 days to determine whether to resolve the issue with a software fix to wireless base stations or a handset chip replacement. And, whichever alternative is deemed best, the technology must be developed and carefully tested before it is implemented.

The wisest course of action for now is to wait and watch: Between the large number of cell phones affected and the imminent rollout of 3G networks, a sound, inexpensive, and quickly implemented solution is in everyone's best interest.