Now Nokia aims at the emerging market

BANGALORE, INDIA: Nokia, the leader in the mobile handset market, today introduced a range of affordable mobile devices and innovative new services specifically for people in emerging markets.

With an integrated digital music player, the price of the new range from 25 to 90 Euro, said a press release. Several models in this series are expected to begin shipping in 2008, while Nokia’s suite of Internet services for emerging markets will be available beginning in 2009.

“In 2002, Nokia unveiled a strategy to lower the cost of owning and operating a mobile phone and to bring the benefits of mobile telephony to people in emerging markets. Today, we are expanding that vision by introducing a number of devices and services that aim to bring the power of the Internet to these markets as well,” says Robert Andersson, executive vice president, Devices, Nokia.

He said the mobile device and the Internet are a powerful combination in connecting people with each other, accessing information, news, entertainment and sharing.

“By introducing products and services that are affordable, relevant and easy-to-use, we believe Nokia can fuel the growth of the Internet in emerging markets through mobility,” he added.

The first services Nokia will offer in emerging markets will focus on email, agriculture and education, which based on consumer feedback, present the strongest demand in emerging markets, according to the press release.

Mail on Ovi, which is enabled on Nokia Series 40 devices, offers the possibility to create an email account directly on the mobile phone without having to use a personal computer, giving millions of users the possibility to create their first internet identity and communicate in new ways, it added.

A trial of Mail on Ovi will launch in a few select markets by the end of November 2008.

Nokia Life Tools is a range of innovative agriculture information and education services designed especially for rural and small town communities in emerging markets.

The other models include: Nokia 7100 Supernova, 5130 XpressMusic, Nokia 2320 classic, Nokia 2323 classic and Nokia 2330 classic, Nokia 1202 and Nokia 1661.