Close on the heels of Google's Open Handset Alliance announcement this week, Nokia and Vodafone Group declared that they, too, can launch a bunch of robust mobile phone features.

The two mobile phone powerhouses said they will combine Vodafone's mobile and Web 2.0 services with Nokia's handsets. As the world's largest mobile phone service provider, Vodafone has more than 232 million customers; according to the latest mobile phone market share figures. Nokia has slightly more than 37 % of the market representing more than the next three handset suppliers combined.

In their joint announcement Wednesday, the firms said many of Nokia's handsets will operate exclusively on Vodafone's 3G networks. Nearly all of Vodafone's networks are based on the GSM standard, although it also partners with Verizon Wireless in the U.S. in offering a CDMA2000 network that is faster than most GSM offerings.

Nokia's Music Store will be integrated in Vodafone's networks. The Nokia handsets are scheduled to reach the market in 2008.

"Web 2.0 is all about social networking and enabling people to connect with each other in new ways," said Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice president and general manager of Nokia Multimedia, in a statement. "Bringing location and context awareness to Web 2.0 services is the next stage in the web development and Nokia multimedia computers enable people to participate (in) their favorite Internet services on-the-go."

The companies said customers will be able to use Nokia handsets to access the Internet "at the click of a button." They will also be offered a full suite of communications, content and Internet services including browsing capability over Vodafone networks.

Following Google's Android announcement this week Nokia executives indicated they might participate in the Open Handset Alliance.