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Telia launches the first speech quality enhancing GSM network in Finland, using Nokia EFR technology
May 15, 1998
Telia has launched the first EFR network in Finland, using Nokia's (Enhanced Full Rate) Codec in its Nokia GSM network. This technology will enable Telia to offer its customers speech quality comparable to wireline quality in the mobile network. This service will be available throughout the Telia Finland Telia City network on the GSM 1800 frequency band.
Mobile operators today know that they must provide speech quality equal to that of wireline - network capacity and coverage are not sufficient. As the mobile phone is increasingly becoming the preferred phone for voice communications, high quality is a must. EFR provides this capability, securing speech quality equal to that of wireline. Originally pioneered by Nokia in co-operation with the University of Sherbrooke, Canada, EFR provides enhanced speech quality in GSM networks. EFR is also fully compatible with Nokia's existing GSM network infrastructure, and can be implemented with only a standard software upgrade.
"Superior voice quality in our GSM network is an absolute must for us today. Although the voice quality in the network is already extremely high, the implementation of the Nokia EFR solution will raise this quality even higher and even closer to fixed line quality," states Director Vesa Mars, Telia Finland.
As Mr Olli Oittinen, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Radio Access Systems, Nokia states,"Today's competitive environment means that network coverage and capacity are not enough - voice quality has become a major competitive advantage. For operators such as Telia in Finland, the provision of wireline quality voice services in the mobile network is essential. We are therefore extremely pleased that Telia has selected the Nokia EFR solution for the first network of this type in Finland."
In November last year, Nokia inroduced the first GSM phones to support all three existing wireless voice codecs: EFR, Full Rate and Half Rate. In addition to the EFR, the Nokia 6100 series mobile phones provide superb audio and speech quality through leak tolerant speakers and acoustic echo cancellation technology. Nokia 6100 GSM phones for both GSM 900 and GSM 1800 have been available since February 1998. Nokia has also introduced the Nokia 5100 series phones for both GSM 900 and GSM 1800, also supporting the three voice codecs. The Nokia 5100 series phones will be available in May 1998.
Telia Finland and Nokia have had a long-term relationship going back to when Telia Finland was first founded under the name of Telivo. Telia Finland is owned by the Swedish Telia AB. In April 1997, Nokia and Telia Finland signed a contract for the supply of the GSM 1800 network. Nokia is the sole supplier to the Telia GSM 1800 network in Finland.
Telia is the biggest teleoperator in the Nordic region. Telia has three subsidiaries in Finland, which are Telia Finland Oy, Telia Product Oy and Telia InfoMedia Oy Ab. The turnover for these companies is 460 mFIM and employees total 500. The fastest-growing categories are the mobility and internet businesses.
Nokia offers total GSM systems, with everything from digital mobile phones to transmission and switching as well as extensive services for building, efficiently operating and developing these networks. Having supplied GSM technology to 70 operators in 35 countries, Nokia ranks as the world's largest supplier of GSM 1800 networks and one of the two largest in GSM 900.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a broad-scope telecommunications company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and computer monitors. With sales in 130 countries, net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia, listed on NYSE (NOK.A), employs more than 38,000 people worldwide.
Further information:
Ms Arja Suominen, Vice President, Communications
Nokia Telecommunications
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199
Telia:
Mr Timo Varsila, Product Adminstration Manager
Telia Finland Oy
Tel. (Int.) + 358 303 994 337
Fax (Int.) + 358 303 994 399
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