CHENNAI, India -- Nokia inaugurated its manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, Chennai, part of a planned $150 million investment in India.

Nokia began commercial production of mobile handsets at the factory on Jan. 2, and has built more than one million handsets there to-date.

The Chennai manufacturing facility employs 1100 people, a number Nokia expects to significantly expand over time. Nokia is the only company in India whose facility manufactures both mobile devices and network infrastructure equipment.

India is expected to become the second biggest mobile device market in terms of volumes by 2010.

The plant is the 15th opened by the telecom OEM.

In a statement, Nokia reaffirmed its commitment to the nation, saying it will invest up to $150 million in its India manufacturing plant to support growing demand for mobile handsets and network infrastructure in the Asia Pacific.