During the Growing Together 2008 conference in Johannesburg, Nokia introduced four upcoming mobile handsets aimed specifically at users in emerging markets who may be ready to replace their first phone.

Mobile phones quickly are becoming the backbone of emerging markets, with many citizens of developing nations electing to use the devices rather than get a wired land line. Internet access is often expensive where available, meaning cell phones become the primary method of communication.

Research done by Strategy Analytics indicates Nokia has a 67 percent market share in Africa and the Middle East, according to figures cited by the company.

On the high end, the new Nokia 5000 can be used both as a regular phone and a business tool, coming equipped with a 1.3-megapixel camera, FM radio, e-mail support, Nokia Xpress Audio Messaging, Bluetooth and GPRS connectivity. The phone is slated launch during the second quarter this year for around $140 USD.

Nokia's 2680 is the first slider phone for emerging markets, and has a built-in camera. It is expected to launch in the third quarter this year for around $117 USD.

The Nokia 7070 Prism, meanwhile, has a folding clam-shell design and offers easily customizeable content, such as themes and wallpapers, along with the ability to download "MP3-grade" ringtones. The Prism does not, however, feature a camera phone. It should launch in the third quarter for around $78 USD.

Lastly, Nokia will begin shipping this quarter the Nokia 1680 Classic, the company's cheapest camera phone, which offers video recording along with the basic functionality of a phone. Like the Prism, the 1680 Classic is priced at $78 USD.

Also during the event in South Africa, Nokia announced it has teamed with Webmail International to introduce a new service, Webmobile, a mobile e-mail service for users in South Africa. Phones equipped with the technology will launch in the second quarter.

Nokia isn't the only player in the mobile phone industry that is heavily banking on the success of the emerging markets. On the software side, Sun Microsystems is pushing for its Java technology -- already in use by more than 1.2 billion phones -- as the ideal platform for citizens to access online banking, instant messaging, and other services.