SHARE
Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp

Nokia, Microsoft Announce Strategic Partnership

Handset maker Nokia and technology giant Microsoft announced plans to form a broad strategic partnership that will use their complementary strengths and expertise to create a global mobile ecosystem, saying they intend to jointly create mobile products and services. Each company will focus on its core competencies and said they plan to work together to […]

Written By
thumbnail Nathan Eddy
Nathan Eddy
Feb 11, 2011
Channel Insider content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Handset maker Nokia and technology giant Microsoft announced plans to form a
broad strategic partnership that will use their complementary strengths and
expertise to create a global mobile ecosystem, saying they intend to jointly
create mobile products and services. Each company will focus on its core
competencies and said they plan to work together to integrate key assets and
create completely new service offerings, while extending established products
and services to new markets.

"I am excited about this partnership with Nokia," said Steve Ballmer,
Microsoft’s CEO. "Ecosystems thrive
when fueled by speed, innovation and scale. The partnership announced today
provides incredible scale, vast expertise in hardware and software innovation,
and a proven ability to execute."

Under the proposed partnership, Nokia will adopt Windows Phone as its principal
smartphone strategy, innovating on top of the platform in areas such as
imaging. Nokia will also help drive the future of Windows Phone by contributing
its expertise on hardware design, language support and helping bring Windows
Phone to a larger range of price points, market segments and geographies.

The two companies will closely collaborate on joint marketing initiatives and a
shared development road map to align on the future evolution of mobile
products: Bing will power Nokia’s search services across Nokia devices and
services, giving customers access to the platform’s search capabilities. Microsoft
adCenter will provide search advertising services on Nokia’s line of devices
and services.

Under the partnership, Nokia Maps will be a “core part” of Microsoft’s mapping
services. For example, Maps will be integrated with the Bing search engine and
adCenter advertising platform to form a new local search and advertising
platform. In addition, the companies said Nokia’s operator billing agreements will
make it easier for consumers to purchase Nokia Windows Phone services in
countries where credit card use is low.

Microsoft development tools will be used to create applications to run on Nokia
Windows Phones, allowing developers to leverage the ecosystem’s reach, while
Nokia’s content and application store will be integrated with Microsoft
Marketplace for an enhanced consumer experience.

"Today, developers, operators and consumers want compelling mobile
products, which include not only the device, but the software, services,
applications and customer support that make a great  experience,"
Stephen Elop, Nokia president and CEO, said
at a joint news conference in London. "Nokia and Microsoft will combine
our strengths to deliver an ecosystem with unrivaled global reach and scale.
It’s now a three-horse race."

Recommended for you...

SailPoint Intros Accelerated Application Management Solution
Jordan Smith
Aug 22, 2025
ConnectWise Partners with Proofpoint on Security in Asio
Jordan Smith
Aug 22, 2025
RegScale CRO on Channel Growth in Risk & Compliance
Victoria Durgin
Aug 22, 2025
Manny Rivelo on Evolving Channel & How MSPs Can Get Ahead
Victoria Durgin
Aug 20, 2025
Channel Insider Logo

Channel Insider combines news and technology recommendations to keep channel partners, value-added resellers, IT solution providers, MSPs, and SaaS providers informed on the changing IT landscape. These resources provide product comparisons, in-depth analysis of vendors, and interviews with subject matter experts to provide vendors with critical information for their operations.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.