Nokia drops U.S. operator billing from Ovi launch

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia said on Tuesday operator billing would not be available in the United States when its Ovi store opens in May - the latest in a series of setbacks in the U.S. market for the world's top cell phone maker.

Nokia said on Tuesday consumers can pay in eight countries -- Australia, Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Singapore, Spain -- through telecoms operator bills for software or media bought from Nokia's Ovi store, to be opened in May.

It had earlier said purchasers from Ovi will have the option of paying through their mobile operator's bill in nine countries including the United States.

Nokia has for years struggled to increase its share of a transatlantic market dominated by major operators.

Separately, Nokia said on Tuesday it will cut up to 360 jobs at its Internet services unit as it combines offerings into its new Ovi Store, which will challenge Apple's hugely successful App Store.

(Reporting by Tarmo Virki; editing by John Stonestreet)