Nokia announced it intends to purchase Oz Communications, the Canadian mobile e-mail and IM company, MocoNews reports, in a move that will further strengthen the carrier's growing software platform.

"This is in line with Nokia's other mobile social media and communication buys over the last two years, including Loudeye, Twango, Plazes, Enpocket, Navteq and others."

The article said that Oz was founded about five years ago, and has raised $71 million in three rounds. Currently, the company's mobile IM, e-mail and social networking services are used by Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, Alltel, Rogers Wireless, and Telenor, while portals such as Yahoo, MSN, and AOL make use of its e-mail platform.