With his fourth keynote address, at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, last week, Nokia's new CEO and president, Stephen Elop, moved away from the general buzz surrounding smartphones and cutting-edge technology.
He instead focused on a different strategy for the company - connecting the unconnected.
Elop painted a picture of the capacity for low-tier devices to transform the lives of people in less developed regions of the world.
"Eighty percent of the world's population today is within cellphone signal range, and yet only 20% is actually somehow connected to the Internet," said Elop. "Collectively, we can all change that.
"This week, we outlined the new strategy for Nokia, including our smartphone strategy together with Microsoft, our mobile phone strategy and our investment strategy."
Describing the second strategy specifically, Elop said: "In short, it is to bring the next billion online; we can connect the unconnected with the help of operators and developers the world over.
"Regardless of where you are in the economic pyramid, you want to feel great about what you carry in your hand," said Elop, outlining a number of Nokia's “Life Tools”, which make use of simple proxy browsers designed to overcome information constraints.
Low tier opportunities
Elop also said Nokia will offer more embedded social networking, instant messaging and e-mail solutions for the very low-tier devices.
"We take for granted having these services in our lives today, but for literally billions of people that same opportunity can change their societies."
According to Elop, Nokia will also drive third-party innovation and local developer eco-systems, "with a deliberate focus on local applications that can have an influence right in someone's home or community."
Elop also cited the events of the last four months as a testament to the potential impact mobile phones can have on people and societies. "This ability to affect change is by far the most inspiring aspect of our work."
Refreshing abilities
Nokia Life Tools services have already recorded some success since its launch in 2009. Elop spoke of the use of Nokia maps to both map and report the location of fresh water sources in Kenya.
He also spoke of the five million people in Nigeria, China, India and Indonesia who make use the Life Tools agricultural information service via SMS.
Nokia devices and Life Tools have also been used for an educational delivery project in the Philippines and Tanzania that provides access to educational materials.
"Statistics show that only every second child in Kenya is registered at birth; that means that half of the children are denied proper access to basic services and healthcare. Nokia is able to provide a means for this registration process."
New purpose
"We're investing in the future, bringing a modern mobile experience to a much broader segment of the population," said Elop.
"Nokia will play a critically important role in this. We have the reach, we have experience, we have the new strategy and we absolutely have the passion to do this the world over.
"We believe Nokia's purpose is to help billions of people connect to opportunity everyday. To help everyone see, seize and share that opportunity in their environment."
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