Expanding Capabilities in Embedded Software Services for Mobile Devices  - Acquisition to expand Accenture's mobile software engineering capabilities

NEW YORK; July 17, 2009 - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has entered into an agreement to acquire the professional services unit of Nokia (NOK) responsible for Symbian customer engineering and customer support. The Symbian operating system is the world's most widely used platform for smartphones. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Nokia unit provides engineering consulting and product development services to mobile phone manufacturers, chip manufacturers and mobile operators globally. Its services include advanced technical support; innovative device-tuning techniques for enhancing the performance, memory and power of mobile devices; advanced error diagnosis and repair; and turnkey software development services that can be used in a range of technical environments.

Approximately 165 Nokia professional services engineers and consultants in the United Kingdom, Finland, Japan, Korea and Australia are expected to transfer to Accenture as a result of the agreement. 

"The acquisition of the Symbian professional services unit will enhance Accenture's existing embedded software, product-development and testing skills to help players in the mobile solutions ecosystem address ever-more-demanding time-to-market and quality requirements," said Jean Laurent Poitou, managing director of Accenture's Electronics & High Tech industry group.  "The capabilities we are acquiring from Nokia will help support the tremendous growth our clients can expect from the explosive adoption of converged mobile multimedia services and will expand Accenture's role as a key supplier of new tools, products and solutions to clients in this industry."

Peter Ropke, senior vice president of Devices at Nokia, said, "This agreement allows the Symbian professional services team to realize its full potential in the supply of independent services to the open-source ecosystem.  In combination with Accenture's strong brand, global sales organization and broad technology skills, the unit's software engineering capabilities will be a significant benefit to customers throughout the industry. The transaction underscores Nokia's commitment to the open-source community and the Symbian ecosystem."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close within 60 - 90 days.

For more about Accenture Product Software Solutions, visit www.accenture.com/PSS.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.  With approximately 177,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$23.39 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2008.  Its home page is www.accenture.com.