New Delhi, May 25 2006: Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, today announced the launch of its Marathi language User Interface and interactive content. As part of this product localization initiative, four of Nokia’s latest phones, the Nokia 6030, Nokia 1600, Nokia 1110 and the Nokia 2600 are Marathi-enabled, thereby making it possible for consumers to communicate in their own language.

India has a large vernacular language speaking population and it is estimated that there are over 70 million people who use Marathi as their first language. Given this large local language preference, Nokia’s new Marathi language initiative will provide consumers a triple benefit of browsing though the phone menu/instructions, accessing content and sending and receiving SMSes in Marathi on these Nokia mobile phones.

Also, Nokia is also the first mobile phone company to introduce interactive content in Marathi through its mobile portal namely ‘Maaza Nokia’. This portal will provide access to a host of Marathi language content including Batamya (News), Vinod (Jokes), Rashibhavishya (Astrology), Chitra Sandesh (Picture messaging) Cricket Updates and Ring Tones.  Nokia is partnering with leading service providers to make the content available through SMS.

Commenting on the growing demand for localized language User Interfaces and content Ms Shefali Chhachhi, Brand Marketing Head said “As the mobile user base in India expands into newer geographies, users increasingly prefer to communicate in their local languages. Nokia’s localization initiatives are being developed keeping in mind the needs of these first time users and are aimed at improving their mobile experience.”

Elaborating on the launch of Nokia’s Marathi language User Interfaces and content, Ms Chhachhi added, “After Hindi, Marathi is one of the largest spoken regional languages in India and the launch of the Marathi language UI and content will help our customers get more out of their Nokia mobile handsets.”

Nokia has been at the forefront of consumer-led innovation for Indian audiences. In 2000, Nokia launched the first phone with a Hindi User Interface (Nokia 3210), and the first phone supporting Hindi Text input (Nokia 3610) in 2002. In 2003, Nokia launched the ‘Made for India’ Nokia 1100, with locally relevant features including a built-in torchlight, dust-resistant keypad and an anti-slip grip. In 2004, the company rolled out its landmark ‘Saral Mobile Sandesh’ Hindi SMS campaign that introduced Hindi SMS as a new-generation messaging service.