Nokia will outsource Symbian software development and support activities to Accenture, in a deal due to be finalised in October. It is expected Nokia will transfer approximately 2,800 employees currently located in China, Finland, India, the UK and the US.

Accenture will retrain and redeploy transferred employees, developing their capabilities to provide mobility software, business and operational services for the Windows Phone platform.

Nokia’s executive VP for Smart Devices Jo Harlow stated that joining forces with Accenture allows them to meet their continued commitment to supporting 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."