For the ambitious among us, we spend a minimum of $20,000 on a handset, approximately $2,000 for a monthly service, additional funds to buy phonecards and, of course, we maintain borderline psychosis regarding the safety and security of our cellphone, not to mention colourful rubber cases.

All this effort is but for one main reason: use of the BlackBerry messaging services.

But why choose BlackBerry Messenger when Nokia now has Ovi?

The Finnish word for 'door', Ovi (brand given to Nokia's Internet service) has given meaning to its name. It was created to the facilitate accessibility of Internet services on users' mobile handsets.

Although it offers a range of features, the application intended to capture the local audience is Ovi Mail, Nokia's free emailing service that allows users to send and receive email on their mobile handsets. One has the option of either creating a brand new email on ovi.com or choosing to register your existing email(s) and access your mail directly from your phone.

What's cool

The service is provided free of cost by Nokia - users are only charged for the transmission of data.

It allows you the option of using your current email. Just like that, you have your current mailbox right on your phone, be it Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.

You can have as many as 10 mailboxes on the phone. This works out well for those who have more than one online address.

For many of us, a text message, inclusive of 100 characters, will add up to $3, using Ovi Mail, a similar amount of characters will cost you under 25¢.

Ovi account can also be accessed via PC. This makes it an easy transition for those who are always between both devices.

Depending on the handset purchased, Nokia users will have the opportunity to back up their important information (such as contact numbers, calendar of events) on the Ovi website so that, in case of theft, information can be easily retrieved.

What's not

Unless it's a push message, synchronisation is needed every time the user wants to update mailbox information - for example, retrieve mail.

Not all Nokia phones can access the service.

for Whom is it ideal?

Nokia's Ovi service is for anyone and everyone who wants the convenience of email on their mobile handset, but cannot afford/choose not to purchase high-end mobile devices. Be it the first-form student, the farmer in rural Jamaica, a struggling teacher, or even the nanny in the hills, Ovi Mail is Nokia's way of creating a cost-effective portal in the age of electronic mail.

Phones that carry this service

The best part about Ovi is the price. The deal that customers will get on the phone is just as good, maybe even better. Some phones that carry this service include:

Phones Price

Nokia 1680 $5,000

Nokia 2330 $5,500

Nokia 2630 $5,800

Nokia 5000 $10,000

Nokia 5130 $12,500

The entire Nokia Series 40 collection can access the service.

Nokia's Ovi vs BlackBerry Messenger

Unlike BlackBerry Messenger, Ovi doesn't require users to invest $20,000-$30,000 on a handset. Nor does it require users to pay a weekly/monthly fee to access the service. All users have to do with Ovi is purchase a Nokia phone that is within an accessible price range and sign up.

To converse using BlackBerry Messenger, users need each other's BlackBerry PINs, which can sometimes become confusing. The email address of a friend is far more recognisable.

BlackBerry Messenger only allows conversation between other BlackBerry users. Ovi allows users not only to send and receive from those with Ovi accounts, but to any individual with an email account.

BlackBerry Messenger sends messages straight to the device, which allows for quick communication; however, Ovi requires synching and, as such, requires that users refresh their mailbox on occasion when in communication.

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