The announcement was made in Chennai by Bosco Novák, Senior Vice President for Services, Networks, Nokia, at a special ceremony hosted by Shri Dayanidhi Maran, the Honourable Minister for Telecommunications and Information Technology.

"This Centre will play a key role for us in our drive to ease the cost pressures that our clients are feeling,” Bosco Novák said. "With its wealth of skilled people and leading technology know-how, India is a very important market for Nokia and we're pleased to expand our presence here."

"We are very happy to see Nokia extend its already considerable commitment to India, and look forward to deepening our ties in the years to come," Minister Maran said. "This investment reaffirms India's position as the country of choice for expanding global telecommunications companies."

Nokia has contracted managed services with 35 clients in 28 countries, and has provided operating services for over 20 operators globally, helping them with the day-to-day tasks of running their networks so they can focus on bolstering their business offerings. Nokia has also played a pioneering role in the growth of cellular technology in India, starting with the first-ever cellular call a decade ago, made on a Nokia mobile phone and a Nokia-deployed network.

Today Nokia's Indian operations include networks and terminals sales divisions and three R&D facilities. A manufacturing facility for mobile devices and GSM infrastructure is set to open in Chennai in the first half of 2006.

www.nokia.com