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According to CNET, Microsoft [MSFT] is delaying the launch of CDMA based Windows Phone 7 smartphones until next year. The launch this year will be for GSM variants that will be launched around the globe.

“We had to make some trade-offs,” senior product manager Greg Sullivan told CNET today. “Even Microsoft doesn’t have unlimited resources. We had to prioritize doing fewer things, really, really well.”

The decision was made earlier this year from what we understand, but this is the first time it has been publicly revealed.

What this essentially means is that for those in the US, it will not be available on two networks which are Sprint and Verizon. Any other network in and out of the US that uses the GSM standard should get the device this year although we doubt a roll-out everywhere will happen this year.

The official launch event is still expected on October 11 over in New York. We assume at this point we will get all the official launch details such as what carriers, where, when and what handsets. Prices will more than likely follow on shortly after.