• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, September 6, 2012

Verizon Wireless confirmed it will work with Nokia in a move that is likely to involve the carrier selling the Finnish phone maker's new line of Windows 8 smartphones, according to a Wall Street Journal report Thursday.

Nokia yesterday unveiled its first smartphones running the updated version of Microsoft's Windows Phone software—the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820. The success of Nokia's latest Windows 8-powered handsets is widely seen as make-or-break for its chances to become a legitimate rival to Android and Apple in the smartphone business.

Getting wider distribution through the largest wireless operator in the U.S. could give a boost to that effort. Nokia has previously sold its Lumia phones in the U.S. through AT&T and T-Mobile USA. A Verizon spokesperson declined to provide specifics of the relationship with Nokia, but the carrier has said it plans to offer more Windows 8 phones this year.

Nokia's stock plunged 16% on Wednesday, with analysts blaming the lack of details on pricing and release dates for the new Lumia phones, which got a mostly positive reception from tech reviewers.