Yahoo and Nokia have paired up in a strategic worldwide alliance covering co-branded e-mail, instant messaging, maps and navigation across PCs and Mobile gizmos.

Starting later this year Nokia will supply Yahoo's maps and navigation services while its own Ovi Maps are integrated into all Yahoo properties. Yahoo in turn will supply Nokia's Ovi Mail and Ovi Chat.

The two companies plan to co-operate on federating identifies between their services and will start by making it possible for people to use their Ovi credentials across certain Yahoo services.

The relationship is exclusive. Financial arrangements were not disclosed. Global availability is set for next year.

Nokia is hoping for more traction in North America. Yahoo expects the move to give it some leverage in emerging markets and give it the location skills it needs to compete with Google.

Yahoo cut a deal with Samsung last month to display its software and services on cell phones.