Rumour: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) may start taking pre-orders for Windows Phone 8 from Oct 21

There are reports going around that AT&T Inc.(NYSE:T) and Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT) may start pre-orders of the Windows Phone 8 on October 21 and the network carrier may start taking credit cards for the HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 920.

There has been no firm date set for the sale of the Nokia smartphones so far, except for some reports that the smartphones will start retailing sometime in early November.

There is also no clarity as to whether other carriers such as Verizon and T Mobile will also be starting their pre-orders at the same time.

"In the past, despite reported low sales numbers, Nokia’s Lumia 900 smartphone has been a popular item at launch on AT&T, leading to sell outs at many retail locations," Gotta Be Mobile reported.

" It’s unclear if preorders will sell out and what amounts of inventories AT&T and Microsoft have planned for forthcoming Windows Phone 8 handsets, including the Lumia 820, Lumia 920, and the HTC 8X."

The Finnish handset maker has pulled out all stops to ensure that it gets a sizeable toehold in the smartphone segment and this time has tied up with the top 3 network carriers in the United States.

AT&T is not only offering Windows Phone 8 software but also devices based on its Windows 8 operating software for personal computers and Windows RT platforms.

The tablets would launch on October 26 and Windows Phone 8 devices are expected to appear in early November.