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The Internet goes mobile - diAx and Nokia sign an agreement for GPRS implementation in Switzerland
October 18, 1999
Nokia and diAx have agreed on the supply of complete Nokia GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) core network solution. The delivery is scheduled to take place this year and the commercial launch is expected during the year 2000.
Nokia will deliver the GPRS related base station functionality and the Internet Protocol (IP) core network infrastructure, which includes the Nokia SGSN, (Nokia Serving GPRS Support Node) Nokia GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node), Charging Gateway and IP backbone components necessary for GPRS deployment.
"We expect the data part of our business to grow strongly over the next five years. Having packet data capability is absolutely key to this growth and the installation of Nokia's GPRS will enable us to be at the forefront of the development of enhanced data services," says Mr. Jean-Jacques Vouga, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, diAx.
"GPRS is a key element of the future Mobile Information Society, where end-users will have the capability to communicate and securely access the Internet and intranet services, independently of time or place," says Carl-Fredrik Lehland, Managing Director, Nokia (Schweiz) AG. "Our long relationship with diAx will provide an ideal opportunity for their subscribers to make the most of the benefits that mobility and continuous connectivity will bring."
diAx, the new generation telecommunications company, is the only alternative Swiss provider of comprehensive services for the fixed and mobile networks as well as the Internet. diAx is a joint venture of diAx Holding - owned by more than 50 companies in the Swiss electricity industry, Swiss Re and Winterthur Life - and SBC Communications Inc., the third largest telecom corporation in the USA. The diAx high performance fiber optic network is more than 2,500 km long, making it the second largest fixed network in Switzerland. The diAx GSM mobile network is the most up-to-date dual band infrastructure in the country. The company currently employs over 1,300 persons nationwide.
GPRS offers instant packet-switched connections to data networks via GSM technology. In addition to allowing faster and easier Internet access, this continuous connectivity enables a variety of new applications, such as multimedia messaging, wireless corporate intranet, remote control and maintenance of appliances, and any number of monitoring or surveillance applications.
Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its innovative products and solutions. Nokia is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks including related services. It also supplies multimedia terminals and computer displays. In 1998, net sales totaled EUR 13.3 billion (USD 15.7 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 51 000 people.
Contact information:
Communications Department
Nokia Networks
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199
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