Nokia, with 190,000 retail outlets across the country, Wednesday also launched an information solution called 'Nokia Life Tools' for easy access to news and information relating to agriculture, education and entertainment.

'As we introduce Life Tools and microfinancing options across India, we are forging associations with multiple stakeholders to effectively deliver solutions that create opportunities for financial and social well-being for rural consumers,' Shivakumar said.

Nokia, which has about 1.1 billion users globally, has its biggest manufacturing facility in Chennai.

'We have invested about $250 million in the Chennai unit and have employed 8,000 people,' Kallasvuo said, adding: 'We export almost half of our production to 59 countries.'