Nokia formed an equal stake JV with China’s investment firm, New Alliance to oofer mobile services as well as support local developers. The JV will be called Nokia Alliance Internet Services Company Limited.

"China is the world''s largest mobile and internet market. As Nokia is entering the services business in China, establishing this joint venture is a natural step to help us bring locally relevant mobile services to Chinese consumers,” says Niklas Savander, Executive Vice President of Services for Nokia.

"Joining forces with New Alliance gives us the right platform and expertise to offer a suite of selected Nokia Ovi services - as well as work with local content developers to help bring their applications to market," he adds.

The JV will launch its operations in January next year and will initially employee 80 professionals.

"We are delighted to form this venture with Nokia. Given our wealth of local knowledge and experience, we believe that we are well placed to help develop the next level of mobile content and services in China,” comments Qu Liefeng from New Alliance.