Mobile operating system (OS) vendor Symbian, on Wednesday launched the first version of its ubiquitous OS to offer native wifi.

Symbian V9.3 is launched with expansion in mind and the firm has focused on making it as compatible with operators’ convergence plans as possible. Jorgen Behrens, VP product management and strategy at Symbian said the new OS would allow manufacturers to get” the best and most differentiated phones to market faster”.

Behrens said the decision to include wifi was a reflection of the market and a growing trend. He refused to offer any details on that perceived trend, stating it would compromise vendors’ industrial secrets.

The first phones to implement version 9.3 should start appearing at the start of 2007.