Global telecom major Nokia on Monday unveiled its first global positioning system (GPS)-enabled mobile device for the Indian market to navigate and map a location of choice.

Priced at Rs.18,000, the Nokia 6210 navigator comes with its Maps 2.0 version that offers real-time voice and visual guidance using in-built GPS support. The device also has an integrated in-map compass for pedestrian guidance.

The navigator is preloaded with maps of eight cities across the country. Maps of other cities will be added in phases after securing clearance from the surveyor general of India and the defence ministry.

The eight cities whose maps are pre-installed are Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi (NCR), Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Pune.

As an introductory offer, Nokia will sell the device without fee for downloading 200 country maps in the first six months. The navigation licence fee will be fixed and become effective from next year. The service provider, however, will levy data charges for downloads.

The navigator has user-friendly features such as 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus, high-speed data connectivity for web browsing, email and downloading. The Map 2.0 has drive and walk navigation features for quick search, multi-point routing and recording. It also has an MP3 player and stereo FM radio.

Mobile communication in India is poised for the next-level growth with the advent of location-based services. A recent survey by Canalyst revealed navigation emerging as one of the top five mobile services globally after imaging, music, gaming and SMS.

With the rollout of 6210 navigator, Nokia offers a range of GPS-enabled mobile devices for personal navigation and smart-phone connectivity in the Indian sub-continent. The other devices are priced between Rs.15,000 and Rs.35,000.

The in-built accelerometer measures changes in direction and orientation, while the in-built map compass makes it easy to follow the route when on foot.

As a leader in mobile devices, Nokia commands around 63 percent market share in India, according to Voice & Data magazine.