Leading mobile manufacturer Nokia Corporation is eyeing the fast-growing rural market, launching new services and utilities in India, the second biggest revenue market for the company. It will roll out micro finance facilities in 12 states for the rural folks, in a bid to provide them handsets at affordable rates with all features.

Mr. Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and CEO, Nokia Corp, informed, "We estimate 500 million people will have the benefit of mobility by 2010 and the telecom sector would be the biggest contributor to GDP. We also believe that much of the growth will take place in the non-urban markets, where penetration is still low at 13 per cent."

The company, having around 1.9 lakh retail outlets in India, also introduced Nokia Life Tools services to woo rural customers, which will soon cover entire India. Under the service, Nokia will provide useful information on weather conditions, farm inputs and market prices.

Mr. Kallasvuo said that Nokia's Chennai factory has become the biggest factory of the world, which will meet the export needs of over 59 countries.