3GSM 2006 -- Nokia and Vodafone this morning announced a partnership to increase the adoption of the S60 phone platform. By making more Vodafone handsets S60 the carrier will have an easier time making the customizations and value adds that carriers love.
Nokia and Vodafone will develop a Vodafone-specific software complement on top of the S60 platform. The collaboration also includes the expansion of the licensee base and increased portfolio penetration through open roadmap governance and establishes a strong independent brand position for both the S60 software and the supporting developer activities.
By the end of February, Nokia estimates that it will have sold 50 million S60 devices. Vodafone is the world's second largest mobile phone carrier with approximately 180 million customers across five continents (China Mobile is the largest with over 200m customers).