Nokia launches N97; web services to drive sales

Nokia, the world's largest cellular phone maker, today said it expects the internet to drive sales in the next round of global mobile revolution and launched a high-end smart phone N97 and a few Web-based services, including maps and messaging, under the umbrella brand Ovi.

"We will redefine the internet and bring it to the masses. As much as 75 per cent of the world's population has not used the e-mail. Many of these people will have their first e-mail experience on a mobile phone, not on a personal computer," Nokia President and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said addressing the 14th Nokia World 2008 here.

"Mail on Ovi, together with Nokia messaging services, which offers consumers e-mail and instant messaging, brings mobile e-mail to everyone," he said.

Even with so much focus on internet, Nokia is not keen on any big-ticket acquisition to have a stronger presence.

Replying to a query if Nokia would make a bid for global internet company Yahoo!, Pekka said: "We will redefine the internet without making an attempt in that direction."

Kallasvuo while pointing out that no one can escape the current global financial crisis, however, declined to comment on the company's outlook.

Nokia N97, the latest N-series smart phone from the company, is priced at euro 550 (Rs 36,300). It will be available globally from April next year, he said.

When asked about the high price of N97 model, Pekka said Nokia's XpressMusic 5800 phone (Rs 20,000) was well received in India despite being a music-oriented phone.