Vodafone has agreed to integrate Nokia's mobile service suite Ovi on a range of Nokia handsets offered by the carrier. The two have agreed to integrate the Ovi suite with Vodafone's branded service offerings, giving customers, "greater choice of communications, Internet services, content and browsing." Customers also will have access to Nokia's Music Store.
"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," said Frank Rovekamp, global chief marketing officer at the Vodafone Group, in a statement.
The two companies also have agreed to make a number of the Nokia handsets exclusive to Vodafone.
"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," said Executive Vice President and General Manager for Nokia Multimedia Anssi Vanjoki in a joint statement.
With the current economic climate, wireless operators face shrinking marketing budgets and reduced consumer spending.
Globally, the credit crunch is very much alive, and operators will be tightening their belts into the foreseeable future by putting off capital purchases.
