Yahoo! and Nokia have announced a worldwide strategic alliance to extend the reach of their online services. The companies say the alliance will leverage each others’ strengths in e-mail, instant messaging and maps and navigation services on both PC and mobile devices.

As a result of the alliance, Nokia will become the exclusive, global provider of Yahoo!’s maps and navigation services, with Ovi Maps integrated across Yahoo! properties, under the branding: ‘Powered by Ovi’. Yahoo! Meanwhile, will become the exclusive, global provider of Nokia’s Ovi Mail and Ovi Chat services, branded as ‘Ovi Mail/Ovi Chat powered by Yahoo!’ Select, co-branded service offerings are expected to become available from the second half of 2010, with global availability expected in 2011.

The companies say they will work on ID federation between their services, beginning by making it easy for people to use their Ovi user IDs across select Yahoo! properties to easily access  the online content and services they need.

“Delivering great user experiences, both online and on your mobile, is what this alliance is all about,” says Nokia CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo. “We’re enabling millions of Yahoo! customers in key markets, including N. America, to discover the unique capabilities that Ovi Maps brings. Similarly, Yahoo!’s online expertise will bring exciting mail and messaging enhancements to millions of Ovi Mail customers across almost every country around the world, many of whom will have their first internet experience on their mobile.”

Yahoo! CEO Carol Bartz adds: “We’re excited to expand the reach of our best-in-class Mail and Messenger services, bringing personalized experiences to more people across the mobile web, particularly in emerging markets where we are seeding the next generation of Yahoo! users. At the same time, we believe Nokia’s strength and continued investment in maps and navigation will greatly enhance our existing products, enabling us to focus on areas that are core to our business.”