14 DAY TRIAL // Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia has announced today that the Nokia Life Tools service has been launched commercially in India, after a successful pilot Maharashtra. According to the company, the service will become available in this state at first, in association with the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB). The service, which has been designed for emerging markets, covers Agriculture, Education and Entertainment areas and is meant to address information gaps of target consumers.
The company has also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the MSAMB, which will deliver “expertise in the areas of commodity prices from their network of 291 local mandis (marketyards).” In addition, MSAMB will also be able to provide consumers with relevant news, alerts on schemes and other information.
“We are happy that Maharashtra is the first state in India to go live with the Nokia Life Tools services in association with the state marketing board. Empowering our people with the right tools and facilities is a top priority for the State Government. I would like to congratulate Nokia for developing a unique and innovative service that has tremendous potential to improve lives and the livelihood of farmers and sub-urban consumers in Maharashtra,” stated Shri Ashok Chavan, Hon'ble chief minister of Maharashtra.
As stated above, Nokia Life Tools includes three main services, namely Agriculture Services, Education Services and Entertainment Services. The Nokia Life Tools Agriculture service is available in two options – a basic plan, which features daily weather updates and relevant agriculture-related news, as well as advice and tips, for only Rs 30/month, and a premium plan, which provides weather, news, advice and tips along with the closest market prices for three crops a subscriber chooses, and which costs Rs 60/month. While the basic plan is available across the entire country, the premium plan will only come to 10 states, including Maharashtra.
The Nokia Life Tools Education services will be available across the entire India and will include Learn English (basic, intermediate and advanced levels), Exam preparation and General Knowledge. The service costs Rs 30/month and will include information and content from multiple local and international companies. The Nokia Life Tools Entertainment service comes with Astrology, News, Jokes, Cricket and ringtones, which will feature the same price as on the market.
Jawahar Kanjilal, Nokia's global head of Emerging Markets Services, said, “As mobile coverage increases to cover the millions of unconnected, Nokia - in India and in other emerging markets around the world - will work together with mobile operators, multiple government and private enterprises, and non-government organizations to empower millions by connecting them to better opportunities that have a positive impact on their daily lives.”