Nokia and Orange in software collaboration

Wireless telecom major Nokia Corporation today announced a collaboration with service provider Orange to facilitate device customisation and strengthen the role of S60 devices in Orange''s device portfolio. The focus of the collaboration is to create an Orange-specific software package to complement S60 software on the Symbian OS and to accelerate the Orange device customisation process. This will help S60 device manufacturers, who will benefit from greater cost efficiency and shorter time-to-market.

Joint activities envisaged include creating synergies between S60 and Orange roadmaps, and testing Orange specific software assets and application development in cooperation with Orange partner organisations and Forum Nokia, Nokia''s global developer program. According to Canalys research (July 2006), S60 is the clear leader in smartphone software with over 50 per cent market share globally. Nokia has shipped more than 70 million S60 enabled devices. To date, 44 devices based on S60 and Symbian OS have been launched, 15 of which are based on S60 3rd Edition.

S60 built on the Symbian OS is a leading smartphone software. The flexibility of S60 software allows for various hardware designs and software configurations, and there is a multitude of S60 devices already available on the market. S60 provides an open and scalable business opportunity for mobile operators and 3rd party developers.

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications. It provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. Orange is a brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the world''s leading telecommunications operators with 149 million customers on five continents. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries and territories and serves customers in 220. The France Telecom Group has 23 mobile and nine internet operations across the world, with 88.6 million mobile customers, and 11.9 million internet customers.