Read Ballmer and Elop’s open letter on the Microsoft, Nokia deal

It looks like Steve Ballmer and Stephen Elop anticipated that people might be a little shocked at Microsoft’s decision to buy out Nokia for US$7.1-billion. The two have penned an open letter explaining their vision for the future of Nokia’s devices and services division under Microsoft control.

In the letter, the two claim that the buyout “marks a moment of reinvention” and that it is a “bold step into the future” for Microsoft.

They also cite the results of their partnership over the past couple of years as having helped build the foundation for the deal.

“Today’s agreement will accelerate the momentum of Nokia’s devices and services, bringing the world’s most innovative smartphones to more people, while continuing to connect the next billion people with Nokia’s mobile phone portfolio,” the two say.

Under the terms of the deal, Elop has stepped down as CEO of Nokia and is now Executive Vice President of Devices & Services at Microsoft. His penning an open letter with Ballmer, who is set to retire in a year’s time will, will certainly help fuel speculation that he could be the heir apparent for the Microsoft top job.

Read the full letter below:

Nokia and Microsoft have always dreamed big — we dreamed of putting a computer on every desk, and a mobile phone in every pocket, and we’ve come a long way toward realizing those dreams.

Today marks a moment of reinvention.

Nokia has an identity spanning 150 years of heritage, innovation, excellence, and change which began and will continue in Finland, as well as around the world. From humble beginnings as a paper mill, to manufacturing rubber boots and car tires, and then to mobile phones, reinvention is in Nokia’s blood.

Now Nokia will write its next chapter, focused on enabling mobility through its leadership in networking, mapping & location, and advanced technologies.

For Microsoft as well, today is a bold step into the future, a huge leap forward on our journey of creating a family of devices and services that delight people and empower businesses of all sizes.

Our partnership over the past two and a half years, which combined our respective strengths to build a new global mobile ecosystem, has created incredible results: award-winning phones and amazing services that have made Nokia Windows Phones the fastest-growing smartphones in the world.

Building on this successful partnership, we announced some important news today: an agreement for Microsoft to purchase Nokia’s Devices & Services business, to deliver more choices, faster innovation, and even more exciting devices and services to our customers.

Today’s agreement will accelerate the momentum of Nokia’s devices and services, bringing the world’s most innovative smartphones to more people, while continuing to connect the next billion people with Nokia’s mobile phone portfolio.

With the commitment and resources of Microsoft to take Nokia’s devices and services forward, we can now realize the full potential of the Windows ecosystem, providing the most compelling experiences for people at home, at work and everywhere in between.

We will continue to build the mobile phones you’ve come to love, while investing in the future – new phones and services that combine the best of Microsoft and the best of Nokia.

Nokia and Microsoft are committed to the next chapter.

Together, we will redefine the boundaries of mobility.

Steve & Stephen

Image: Nokia