Telefonica, Nokia team for mobile web initiative

Global operator Telefonica and handset giant Nokia announced an alliance dedicated to accelerating consumer adoption of mobile web services. Per terms of the agreement, Nokia will customize a multimedia menu to simplify access to Telefonica services--the menu will also enable direct access to all Nokia mobile web services. The partnership will also encompass technology and billing cooperation, and heralds significant progress for Nokia's fledgling Ovi multimedia services brand, which many analysts anticipated would meet harsh resistance from mobile operators.

"Ease of use has always been at heart of Nokia devices and this collaboration is an important step in creating the same experience for Internet services," said Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia Multimedia executive vice president and general manager. "Nokia devices and services are based on open standards, which makes it easy for us to work with forward-thinking operators such as Telefonica to provide consumers with choice regarding which Internet services they want to access from their mobile device."

For more on the Nokia/Telefonica deal:
- read this release

Related articles:
Nokia acquires Navteq for $8.1 billion
Nokia purchases Enpocket
Nokia to launch music download service
Nokia enters the Mosh pit
Can Nokia make a direct-to-consumer play work?