Speaking at the annual Nokia World conference in Amsterdam, Nokia 
president and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo outlined the company vision for the mobile industry, predicting a rapid convergence of mobility and the Internet. He also cited the need for the industry to make an increasing contribution to environmental sustainability.
"We are at the dawn of a new era in mobile communications driven by the rapid convergence of the internet and mobility, and Nokia is setting the pace of change. But with market leadership in an industry of this scale also comes responsibility. We are committed to taking a leading role in increasing environmental awareness and performance right across the industry, creating further products and services that help people make more sustainable choices," said Kallasvuo.
Some highlights from the event:
- Nokia Comes With Music -- certain Nokia devices will be offered with a year of unlimited access to millions of tracks from a range of artists. Once the year is complete, customers can keep all their music without it disappearing when their subscription is over. The program will launch with Universal Music Group International, and Nokia said it is in discussion with the remaining major international labels.
- Ovi Internet services environment -- enables consumers to easily access their existing social network and content, and is intended to serve as a dashboard to a person's life. Vodafone and Telecom Italia Mobile have agreed to support it.
- Environmental issues -- Nokia promises to drive new initiatives in the mobile industry in areas such as energy efficiency, materials used in products, take back, recycling, and packaging. One example is the Nokia 3110 Evolve, a mobile device with bio-covers made from more than 50% renewable material. The device is presented in a small package made of 60% recycled content and it comes with Nokia's most energy efficient charger, using 94% less energy than the Energy Star requirements.
- Industry mobile device volumes Nokia forecasts that in 2008, total volume will grow about 10% from the approximately 1.1 billion units Nokia estimates for 2007. Industry mobile device volume growth in 2008 is expected to be above 15% in Asia-Pacific, China and Middle East & Africa, and below 10% in North America, Europe and Latin America. Nokia expects the device industry to experience value growth in 2008, but expects some decline in industry Average Selling Prices (ASPs) primarily reflecting the increasing impact of the emerging markets and competitive factors in general.
- Number of Global Mobile Users -- Nokia expects the four billion mobile subscriptions mark to be reached in 2009, rather than in 2010 as previously forecasted.
