Maybe it’s the Spanish sun but peace (of a kind) has broken out between Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Orange. The pair have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on “co-marketing and sales activities” around location-based services, maps, mobile advertising and gaming (release). Orange had previously made negative noises about Nokia’s own music store ambitions - a potential sticking point to the operator’s network-centric music strategy. That issue hasn’t been resolved (Orange SVP Herve Payan last month told mocoNews.net the pair are still “in discussions so that the two can coexist"). It’s said here today’s memorandum is a precursor to a bigger strategic partnership due by the summer but it looks like Orange may get its way - EVP Olaf Swantee said Orange will not be keeping Nokia’s Ovi to its handsets (via DJ).

• Orange Threatens To Derange Nokia Handset Unless Reassured About Music Store