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Nokia to deliver GPRS network to Sonera, Finland - Making Total Connectivity a reality
February 23, 1999
Nokia and Finland's leading operator Sonera today announced they have agreed on the supply of the complete Nokia General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network solution. Nokia will begin delivery of the system during thesecond quarter of this year. Commercial GPRS services are expected to start in the year 2000.
With Nokia's GPRS solution, Sonera will provide true mobile Internet access to their subscribers - offering packet switched data through the enhanced GSM network. Nokia will deliver Internet Protocol (IP) core network infrastructure, including the Nokia Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), the Nokia Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) and the Nokia Charging Gateway.
The agreement also includes new software to upgrade Sonera's current GSM radio network. With the Nokia GPRS solution, this can be remotely downloaded to Nokia base stations; therefore no cell site visits will be needed.
Due to continuous connectivity and higher bandwidths, GPRS opens up a variety of new applications. In addition to offering faster mobile Internet access, Sonera will have the capability to create new services based on multimedia messaging, wireless corporate intranet, as well as remote control and maintenance of appliances.
"Demand for Internet and enhanced wireless data services is rapidly increasing - with the Nokia GPRS solution built on their proven IP routing technology, we will be able to meet that demand and greatly expand on the service offerings to our Sonera's subscribers," says Mr. Olavi Koistinen, Senior Vice President, Mobile Services, Sonera. "The early delivery of the GPRS core will enable us to begin testing functions of the system, including GPRS interoperability tests with our Intranet customers. With this agreement Sonera will be able to position itself as one of the world's most advanced wireless data service providers."
"The Nokia GPRS core network solution serves as a future-proof investment in Third Generation technologies," says Mr. Petri Pöyhönen, Vice President, GPRS Business, Nokia Telecommunications. "Not only will GPRS offer true packet mode data connections for GSM users, in addition, it makes more efficient use of network resources, offering optimal connectivity for other advanced services, including those based on the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)."
Sonera Ltd is Finland's leading telecommunications company with subsidiaries and associated companies in 14 countries. Internationally, Sonera is a forerunner in the rapidly growing business areas of mobile, data and media communications. In 1998, Sonera's revenues was FIM 9.6 billion ($1.9 billion) and operating profit FIM 1.7 billion ($ 320 million). The Group employs 8 600 people.
Nokia is the world's leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile and fixed telecom networks including related customer services. Nokia also supplies solutions and products for fixed and wireless datacom, as well as multimedia terminals and computer monitors. In 1998, net sales totaled FIM 79.2 billion (USD 15.7 billion, EUR 13.3 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on five European Stock Exchanges and on the New York Stock Exchange (NOK.A), has sales in over 130 countries and employs more than 44,000 people worldwide.
Contact information:
Communications Department
Nokia Telecommunications
Tel: (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax: (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199
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