Symbian today announced the launch of its new Symbian Partner Network (SPN) program. Offering a more affordable partner program at a reduced, competitively priced annual membership fee of USD 1,500, the Symbian Partner Network program focuses on harnessing innovation by further strengthening the ecosystem, helping its members and customers to build compelling devices and solutions more quickly and at a lower cost.

Members of the Symbian Partner Network benefit from access to SDN++, Symbian’s private developer network portal, which contains an exclusive SPN Zone and offers self-service technical support via forums, wikis and a dedicated request management system as well as collaboration ‘zones’.

The key benefits of Symbian Partner Network include:

• Simplified sign-up process, click-through licenses and online payment system
• Reduced annual membership fee of USD 1,500 (from USD 5,000)
• Access to SDN++ containing the SPN Zone
• Improved self-service technical support (wikis, forums, SPN Helpdesk)
• Early access to information such as technology roadmaps and other documentation
• Enhanced marketing and business development opportunities including admission to private events, such as the annual Symbian Partner Event.

Mike Whittingham, Vice President Ecosystem Development, Symbian, commented: “We are always evolving to enable our partners and customers to be at the forefront of innovation, ensuring a greater choice of compelling ecosystem solutions for creating best in class phones based on Symbian OS. The new Symbian Partner Network program offers more value to our ever growing and vibrant ecosystem and supports the many services, application and content providers worldwide whose after-market products enhance the value of the Symbian platform.”