Nokia acquires browser firm Novarra

Nokia has acquired US mobile browser specialist Novarra for an undisclosed sum in a deal expected to be completed by the second quarter of the year.

Wireless internet usage is set to surge in 2010 and beyond as operators and phone makers continue to play catchup with Apple's iPhone, with many handset vendors are pinning their faith on their own browsers.

Novarra's rivals, including Opera and Myriad are increasingly refocusing their efforts to sell browsers to telecoms operators, who have a key role in phone distribution on many large markets.

"Connecting the next billion consumers to the Internet will happen primarily on mobile devices and delivering an optimised internet experience on our devices is core to our mission," said Niklas Savander, executive vice president of services at Nokia, in a statement.

"By driving innovation in all segments of our portfolio, we are building one of the largest consumer audiences for web services and content. Novarra's internet services technology delivered on the world's most widely-used mobile platform, Nokia's Series 40, will help us achieve this."

Nokia said it expects to roll out services based on the newly acquired technology by the end of the year.

(Additional reporting by Maggie Holland, IT PRO)