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Nokia GSM 1900 Infrastructure is the Foundation of Wireless Alliance’s Unicel PCS Launch
April 21, 1998
Nokia, the world’s second largest supplier of GSM-based digital networks and a global leader in wireless data terminals and infrastructure, announced today that Wireless Alliance, LLC, has launched commercial PCS service in Fargo, N.D.-Moorhead, Minn.; Duluth, Minn.-Superior, Wis.; and Virginia-Hibbing, Minn., using Nokia GSM 1900 network equipment.
Last year, Nokia signed a multi-year, $20 million contract as the sole infrastructure supplier for the initial build-out of Wireless Alliance’s PCS network, which complements the carrier’s existing Cellular 2000® Northland service. The Wireless Alliance network solution includes easily expandable Nokia High Capacity Indoor Base Stations, a base station controller and Nokia PrimeSites for varying rural and urban coverage areas requiring high output. Nokia’s advanced radio and switching technology and dedicated engineering implementation expertise led to the deployment of the commercial system in less than one year from the contract. In the coming months, Wireless Alliance and Nokia will expand GSM 1900 coverage to Grand Forks, N. D. Wireless Alliance, a joint venture between Rural Cellular Corporation (RCC) and APT Minneapolis, Inc., an affiliate of Aerial Communications, Inc., is marketing its all-digital PCS service under the Unicel name.
The Wireless Alliance launch further solidifies Nokia’s global leadership in providing GSM-based network solutions. To date, Nokia has supplied its GSM technology to 67 operators in 35 countries, including Aerial Communications and Western Wireless in the United States. “The launch of Wireless Alliance’s network is an important step in the expansion of digital wireless service in the United States,” Jyrki Salo, president of Nokia’s infrastructure business group in the Americas, said. “Because the world’s fastest growing GSM operators are Nokia customers, we are very much in tune with the market and well positioned to offer leading-edge mobile services and world-class digital network solutions.”
One of the leading-edge service features to be offered by Unicel is per-second billing, according to Richard Ekstrand, president and chief executive officer of RCC. “Unicel is doing business in a different way,” Ekstrand said. “We charge customers only for the time they talk. With per-second billing, you pay for what you say. And with the largest digital service areas in our region and our unique dual-mode service strategy, we believe Unicel will appeal to wireless consumers.”
Worldwide, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) has been selected by 256 operators in 110 countries, with 233 networks in 105 countries currently in operation. With more than 70 million users today, GSM is the dominant digital standard in the world.
Wireless Alliance is a joint venture between Rural Cellular Corporation (NASDAQ: RCCC) and APT Minneapolis, Inc., an affiliate of Aerial Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: AERL). Wireless Alliance is expanding its service offerings to include PCS throughout its current Cellular 2000® Northland footprint, which includes portions of the Minneapolis MTA, including Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D.; Duluth, Virginia, Hibbing and Moorhead, Minn.; and Superior, Wis.
Nokia offers total GSM systems, including digital mobile phones, transmission and switching infrastructure. Nokia holds the world’s number one position in GSM 1800 networks and is one of the top two suppliers in GSM 900 networks.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia (NYSE: NOKA) develops, manufactures and supplies mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and computer monitors to consumers and businesses in 130 countries. Net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia employs more than 36,000 people worldwide. Find us at www.nokia.com.
For more information, please contact:
Micaela Tucker-Kinney
Communications Manager, Nokia Americas
Tel. +1 972 257 9307
Ann Elliott
Rural Cellular Corp., managing partner of Wireless Alliance, LLC
Tel. +1 320 808 2104
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