Nokia has agreed to outsource Symbian software development and support activities to Accenture, under a new agreement.
The agreement calls for Accenture to provide Symbian-based software development and support services to Nokia through 2016.
Nokia is expected to transfer approximately 2,800 employees located in China, Finland, India, the UK and the US to Accenture.
Accenture Communications and High Tech group chief executive Marty Cole said they look forward to partnering with Nokia as they continue to support Symbian and transition to the Windows Phone ecosystem.
Accenture will become the preferred supplier to Nokia on their transition to Windows Phone, and will retrain and redeploy transferred employees leveraging their skills and capabilities to provide mobility software, business and operational services around the Windows Phone platform to Nokia and other ecosystem participants.
Nokia executive vice president for Smart Devices Jo Harlow said their collaboration with Accenture allows them to meet their ongoing commitment to support their Symbian smartphone customers.
"As we move our primary smartphone platform to Windows Phone, we will look to explore potential opportunities to tap this talent pool as they develop and expand their knowledge and capabilities beyond Symbian," Harlow said.
To provide further services to Nokia, Accenture will work with its majority-owned company Avanade, which focuses on Microsoft technology.
The definitive agreement is expected to close in the early part of October 2011.
