Revealed: The sneaky secret Nokia hasn't told Australians about the new 3310

• Nokia handset was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today
• New 3310 model pays homage to classic design but will come with colour screen
• Has limited internet capabilities relying on 2.5G connectivity - slower than 3G
• Old handset was very popular and sold 126m before it was phased out in 2005 

Nokia has gone retro and have re-launched an updated version of its classic 3310 model - 17 years after it was first released.

The 3310 phone was a massive hit with users back in 2000, and now the mobile phone giant is relaunching it with month-long battery life, 22 hours of talk-time, and even the phone's popular game, Snake.

However, there could be one rather big problem using the phone in Australia, according to Nokia's own website.

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The 2G GSM network the phone requires to make and receive calls is being phased out in Australia - and may be completely turned off sometime in 2017.

Among the three major communication networks in Australia, Telstra have already switched off 2G, Optus will be phasing it out by August 2017 and Vodafone will cut ties with the network in September.   

The network could cause a problem for Nokia 3310 as the model uses 2G for phone calls and messaging.

The 3310, with a slick new look that pays homage to its original design, was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.   

While the handset looks similar to its predecessor, Nokia has brought its new model up to date and instead of the original display, a monochrome 84 x 84, it has a colour screen.

However, it has limited internet capabilities, relying on 2.5G connectivity, with users browsing at speeds slower than if they were using 3G. 

It also has a single camera which has just two megapixels.

The phone, which sold 126million handsets until it was phased out in 2005, will be sold by Finish company HMD Global.

The firm believe the revamped 3310 offers users the perfect compromise to a modern life.

Chief executive Arto Nummela told the BBC: 'It's almost like a digital detox or a holiday phone.

'If you want to switch off to an extent but you still need to have a [mobile] lifeline, it's a brilliant solution.

'Why wouldn't you buy this like candy? If you see this hanging on the shelf at the checkout in a [see-through] package, then you'd just buy it as an accessory.'

Once the undisputed king of the mobile market, Nokia's fortunes took a turn for the worse after its decision to support the Windows mobile operating system exclusively.

With stiff competition from iOS and Android, the flagging firm's handset activities were sold in 2014 to Microsoft to allow Nokia to focus on mobile network equipment. 

However, HMD now hope that they can cash in world's affection for the 3310 with handsets costing around 49 euros each. 

Nokia also revealed three other new devices at the event - the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6. 

The Nokia 6 was first launched in China in December, where it sold out in just 23 seconds, and had a 97 per cent satisfaction rate.

The phone features a 5.5 inch panel, smart amplifier and Nokia has even released a special edition glossy black version. 

The phone will retail at 229 euros (£190/$240). 

The Nokia 5 is slightly smaller at 4.2 inches, and will cost 189 euros (£160/$200).

And finally, the Nokia 3 has been introduced, which has a 5-inch display, but costs just 139 euros (£117/$150).