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Nokia, CTIN and Optus Australia announce GPRS research agreement
May 11, 1998
Professor Reg Coutts, Director of the Centre for Telecommunications Information Networking, (CTIN) Adelaide, Australia, has announced an agreement between CTIN, Nokia and Optus for a joint two year research to analyse the deployment of improved data transmission capabilities in mobile communications. This research will create technical and economical models for deployment of packet radio capabilities in a GSM network.
Prof. Coutts said increasing demand for data applications in mobile communications has provided the impetus for a research partnership between CTIN, Nokia and Optus focusing on GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) technology.
GPRS is expected to deliver a range of new services technically compatible with the existing Australian mobile communications system (GSM) especially Internet services. GPRS is also regarded as the technology which will lead the transition to the next generation technology in mobile communications. Professor Coutts said the research program would allow further development of CTIN's capability in modelling and simulating various aspects of mobile communications networks.
"Operators will benefit from GPRS in many ways," stated Mr Petri Pöyhönen, Vice President, Wireless Data Server Systems, Nokia Telecommunications. "The ability to offer attractive wireless Internet access, possible with GPRS, enables the operator to benefit from the Internet boom. New applications previously not feasible with GSM data become possible; such applications may include remote control and maintenance of vending machines, mobile credit card verification, remote reading of electrical and gas meters, and surveillance applications," he continued. "This agreement will enable further research work on mobile communications and specifically GPRS, and we see this as an important step forward in the development of this solution."
"When added to and enhanced by the work already done by Nokia, this should advance Nokia's knowledge of implementing GPRS in networks and the interaction of GPRS with an existing GSM network," continued Professor Coutts.
He said the research and development program brought together CTIN, Nokia and Optus in a strong, creative partnership.
"As a manufacturer of mobile handsets and infrastructure, Nokia has a long-term interest in GPRS, while Optus has an interest as a major data service provider," Professor Coutts said. "Australia is regarded as a unique market, and with its history of large-scale early adoption of new technology is considered to be a good testing ground," he continued.
Professor Coutts said he was delighted that an agreement had been reached on the project.
"There is a lot of discussion about the need for Australia to maintain a leading edge in relation to telecommunications and the information economy, but that can only occur through practical projects such as this," he said.
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 :
Nokia Telecommunications,
Communications Department
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199
Note to editors
GPRS is a GSM phase 2+ item that will add packet switching to GSM and make the GSM air interface packet based in addition to the currently existing circuit switched mode of operation. GPRS will be optimal for providing connectivity to packet switched data networks such as the Internet.
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