Vodafone and Nokia agree to launch integrated Vodafone services on Nokia handsets

Vodafone, the world's largest mobile operator by revenue and Nokia the world's largest handset manufacturer, have agreed to launch an integrated suite of Vodafone services combined with Nokia Ovi Services on a range of Nokia handsets. These services will offer customers a greater choice of communications, Internet services, content and browsing through a range of premium handsets on high speed 3G and 3G broadband networks. Vodafone and Nokia also have agreed that a number of these handsets will be exclusive to Vodafone.

Customers will get faster and easier access to all of Vodafone's Internet and entertainment services as well as all of Ovi from Nokia services on a wide range of handsets. Vodafone customers will be able to access the widest and most attractive choice of Internet services.

Vodafone and Nokia will make it easier to access the Internet quickly at the click of a button. Customers will get the full suite of communications, content, Internet services and browsing, through seamlessly integrated Vodafone services on Nokia handsets.

Vodafone and Nokia will also deliver greater choice in music for customers, by making both the Vodafone music service and the Nokia Music Store available on Nokia's 2008 handsets.

"We're pleased do be working with Nokia in leading the industry to bring customers a complete suite of Vodafone communications, browsing, content and Internet services" said Frank Rovekamp, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Group. "This is a logical step for Vodafone to make, further improving our customer experience with many of the services already launched with leading Internet partners."

"Web2.0 is all about social networking and enabling people to connect with each other in new ways. Bringing location and context awareness to web2.0 services is the next stage in the web development and Nokia multimedia computers enable people to participate to their favourite internet services on-the-go", said Executive Vice President and General Manager Nokia Multimedia Anssi Vanjoki. "We're excited to work with Vodafone to provide consumers with internet services like navigation, music, games and communities to make their life richer and more enjoyable, independent of time and place."

Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with over 232 million proportionate customers as at 30 June 2007. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 25 countries across five continents and a further 40 partner networks worldwide.

Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.

Ovi, meaning 'door' in Finnish, enables people to easily access their existing social networks, communities and content from a single place, as well as acting as a gateway to Nokia services. Accessible from a computer or compatible Nokia device, Ovi includes the Nokia Music Store, Nokia Maps and N-Gage, with more services to follow.

Source: Nokia