Nokia is offering free cab rides in major cities of the UK to promote its Ovi Maps service.

People in major UK cities including London, Manchester and Birmingham can enjoy a ride free of charge in cabs that displays advertisements for Nokia’s Ovi Maps service.

The fare-free taxies will have Nokia X6 smartphones preloaded with Nokia Ovi Maps, which will allow passengers to test the service on wheels.

The Nokia Ovi Maps service is like Google Maps and TomTom satellite navigation system that allows users to browse street maps.

Recent, Nokia hit a deal with Internet search giant Yahoo to strengthen its position in the market. Under the terms of the deal, Yahoo will provide e-mail and instant messaging services on Nokia phones, while Nokia, in turn, will run mapping and navigation services for Yahoo.