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Microsoft and Nokia announced an alliance on Wednesday to make Microsoft Office software available on Nokia's Symbian devices.

The software and cell phone companies said Nokia will start offering Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on its smartphones next year, followed by other Office applications and related software and services in the future.

"With more than 200 million smartphone customers globally, Nokia is the world's largest smartphone manufacturer and a natural partner for us," said Stephen Elop, Microsoft Business Division President.

Stephen Elop of Microsoft
Kai Öistämö of Nokia

"Today's announcement will enable us to expand Microsoft Office Mobile to Nokia smartphone owners worldwide and allow them to collaborate on Office documents from anywhere, as part of our strategy to provide the best productivity experience across the PC, phone and browser."

The move by Nokia will help it better compete against Research in Motion while making Microsoft's Office software available to a much larger global audience.

The two companies said the new partnership will not impact Microsoft's Windows Mobile and Nokia's Symbian operating system for smartphone. Nokia does not have plans to make a Widows Mobile device.

"The scope of the alliance between Microsoft and Nokia, and potential value for the enterprise and individual is significant," said Stephen Drake, VP of Mobility & Telecom at IDC.

"By bringing Microsoft's productivity solutions to Nokia's large customer base, the two companies should be better able to serve the needs of the growing mobile worker population, which IDC estimates to reach 1 billion worldwide in 2011."