After signing 17 Global SIP Partners to their Operator Affiliate Program, Nimbuzz, free mobile communication for everyone, signs a major distribution deal with Spice Mobiles, leader in innovative mobile handsets in India.

New Spice Mobile handsets will have the Nimbuzz application pre-installed for users to chat, message and send files on the go; and Spice Mobiles becomes a major distribution partner to join Nimbuzz’s global Manufacturer Affiliate Program.

From December most of the new Java and Windows Mobile handsets will be rolled out to the Indian market via Spice Mobiles’ approximately 25,000 retail outlets with the full Nimbuzz communication portfolio installed.

“This deal ensures significant market penetration for Nimbuzz across the APAC territories and we will be working closely with Spice Mobiles to encourage future shipment of new handsets.” Nimbuzz CEO Evert-Jaap Lugt.

“We turn to leading technology providers such as Nimbuzz to add the best value services, such as instant messaging and social networking, to our devices.” Spice Mobiles CEO, Kunal Ahooja.

India’s mobile user base of around 300 million to reach 737 million by 2012. Indian mobile VAS market will reach $2 billion by the end of 2008 and expect it to account for 18% of operator revenue by 2010.

The Spice Mobiles deal is a global contract. In addition to India, pre-installed Spice Mobiles devices will be sold in other APAC territories. Customers will be able to communicate with the growing community of Nimbuzz subscribers in over 200 countries, using Nimbuzz for features such as social networking, instant messaging, location- and file sharing.

Nimbuzz is growing at around 20,000 new users per day since their iPhone app launch. Nimbuzz’s latest iPhone update includes 11 more languages and the possibility to run the app even if the screen is off!