Nokia to Launch Italian Subsidiary of its Multimedia Network Terminals Division

Based in Gessate, near Milan, the Italian subsidiary will concentrate on the products for the growing satellite and cable markets. In particular it will focus on marketing equipment for digital satellite, cable and terrestrial reception of entertainment and other services.

Digital decoding systems for digital video broadcasting is a fast growing market with significant potential for Nokia. This business area is the responsibility of Nokia Multimedia Terminals whose products range from multimedia network terminals to satellite and cable television receivers for both business and the home.

The company will start the drive into the Italian market with its Mediamaster 9500S, said to be the first fully DVB-MPEG 2 compatible satellite receiver and multimedia terminal of its kind available today. This product, introduced in 1995, has a number of features including reception of digital satellite television signals, Internet connection as well as allowing connection to peripherals such as personal computers, printers and CD-ROM drivers.