Some Nokia handsets to be exclusive to Vodafone under deal

Mobile giants Vodafone and Nokia have unveiled a suite of Vodafone services combined with Nokia's Ovi services on a range of Nokia handsets.

According to the partners, the deal will provide faster and easier 3G access to all of Vodafone's internet and entertainment services, as well as all Ovi services from Nokia on a wide range of handsets.

The firms have agreed that "a number" of these Nokia handsets will be exclusive to Vodafone.

As part of the agreement the Vodafone music service and the Nokia Music Store will be available on Nokia's 2008 handsets.

"Web 2.0 is all about social networking and enabling people to connect with each other in new ways," said Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice president and general manager at Nokia Multimedia.

"Bringing location and context awareness to web 2.0 services is the next stage in the web development and Nokia multimedia computers enable people to participate in their favourite internet services on-the-go."

Frank Rovekamp, global chief marketing officer at Vodafone Group, added: " This is a logical step for Vodafone to make."