Nokia to supply network expansion to North-West GSM, Russia

The Nokia deliveries to North-West GSM include base station controllers and base stations, extensions to the mobile switching centre, home location register and the network management system, NMS/2000. Nokia will also be providing microwave radios and other transmission equipment for North-West GSM´s transmission network. Implementation and project services, as well as customer training also form part of the contract.

As Mr Alexander Nyago, General Manager of North-West GSM explains, "We have recently reached a 51,000 subscriber level in our network, and we aim to have 100,000 subscribers by the end of next year. This ambitious target means that we have very high selection criteria for network supplier. We are pleased that Nokia can fully meet these criteria."

"North-West GSM has been a Nokia customer since 1994, and we are happy to continue this partnership with them," states Mr Veli Laine, Area General Manager, Nokia Telecommunications. "Developing such rapidly-growing networks together with our customer always presents an exciting challenge for Nokia, which we are always keen to take on."

North-West GSM provides digital network services to over 50,000 subscribers in St.Petersburg area and North West region of Russia. The shareholders are Telecominvest and Lensvyaz from Russia and Telecom Finland, Telenor Invest AS and Telia International AB from the Nordic countries. The first call in North-West GSM´s network was made in December 1994.

Nokia offers total GSM systems, with everything from digital mobile phones to transmission and switching. Having supplied GSM technology to 65 operators in 34 countries, Nokia ranks as the world's largest supplier of GSM 1800 networks and one of the two largest in GSM 900.

Further information:

Ms Arja Suominen, Vice President, Communications
Nokia Telecommunications
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199