Finnish company Nokia was awarded a 2.5 billion USD (1.8 billion euros) deal to supply phones for China Postel. Nokia said that part of order has already been filled.

China Postel, China's largest distributor of phones, has already sold more than 37 million Nokia mobile phones since 1998. The deal between the two companies is a step towards deepening their strategic ties.

Nokia currently holds a 35 percent market share in China. A company spokesperson said that China represented Nokia's largest market in terms of turnover in 2006. According to Reuters, the firm benefits from its early entry into emerging markets like China.