Microsoft, Nokia ink mobile Office deal

Microsoft and Nokia--still significant rivals in the cell phone business--said Wednesday that they are deepening their work together.

As first reported by CNET News on Tuesday, the partnership means that a mobile version of Office will show up on Nokia cell phones. In the past, the only phones with mobile versions of Office have been those running Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system.

The two companies said they will start to work immediately to bring Office Mobile as well as Microsoft's communications and device management software to Nokia's devices based on the Symbian operating system. Although they hope to eventually get the software running on a range of devices, the partnership will start with Nokia's business-oriented E-series of phones.

Nokia and Microsoft are both trying to improve their mobile position amid greater competition from the likes of Apple and Google.

Executives from both companies are about to discuss the deal on a conference call which will be covered live here.