Nokia's ovi mail to come in Nepali

You don't know English but want to have an e-mail account. No need to worry, Nokia has launched its Ovi mail that will give Nepali users the opportunity to create their e-mail accounts in Nepali language -- Devnagari script.
"From within one year to one-and-a-half years Nepalis can create Ovi mail usernames in their own language," said Prem Chand, general manager at Nokia Emerging Asia, during the launch in Dhaka of Nokia's own mail service -- Ovi Mail -- that will have 50 languages.
Unlike most other email services, an Ovi mail account can be created and used directly in a Nokia device without ever having to use PC, laptop or fixed landline. "Since the launch of the beta service in December 2008 around 90 per cent of the email accounts have been created on a Nokia phone," Chand said adding that to bring the Internet -- the easiest and most popular means of communication -- closer in emerging markets, Nokia has launched its new technology.Chand also launched Ovi mail compatible entry category devices -- Nokia 2323 classic and Nokia 2330 classic -- that will be available in Kathmandu from June. "However, the Nokia 2730 classic will be available during the third quarter of this year," he added."All these phones come internet ready and work with Ovi Mail, giving first-time email users the opportunity to set up and start using an e-mail account (http://us.mc562.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=username@ovi.com) directly on their mobile phones," said Paula Laine, vice-president, entry category marketing.With a choice of black and dark blue, the Nokia 2323 classic will retail for approximately $60 while Nokia 2330 Classic will be available in black or deep red and will retail for about $50 at all Nokia stores."In 2002, Nokia unveiled a strategy to lower the cost of owning and operating a mobile phone and bring the benefits of mobile telephony to people in emerging markets -- Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan. "The aim of introducing these devices and services is to bring the power of the Internet to the people of this region at affordable rates," Laine said adding that the mobile device and Internet are a powerful combination in connecting people and the service. "These products are not only affordable but also relevant and easy to use," she added.
"The power of the Internet is undeniable, and we have seen mobile technologies catalyse the growth of the informal sector across the world empowering local entrepreneurs and having an immediate and lasting impact on people's lives," Chand said.
According to him, services like Ovi Mail combined with mobile phones bring powerful solutions that can be a gateway to knowledge and entertainment that people can access without the need for a PC.
According to consumer research, nearly half of the emerging market customers wanted Internet connection over a mobile phone than a PC. Ovi Mail has the potential to be the first digital identity for many people in emerging markets like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal where Internet and PC penetration rates are the lowest in Asia.