São Paulo - Nokia's Technology Institute (INdT) - an independent non-profit unit focusing on research and development in telecommunications - is starting its operations as of this week. Headquartered in Brasilia (DF), with its central office in Manaus (AM), the institute aims at fostering local technology development, in addition to providing the ideal environment for Brazilian professionals to acquire greater know-how and specialization. IndT also aims to foster partnerships with universities and institutions for information exchange and to discover young talents. The Institute has already established partnerships with the University of Brasilia, the Federal University of Rio of Janeiro and FUCAPI - Institute of Technology.

 

Projects implemented at the INdT headquarters will be both related to infrastructure and devices, encompassing software development and integration, performance tests for GSM, GPRS and EDGE, product and component certification, impact tests, failure simulations and new mobile telephony functionalities. INdT will be funded by Nokia Brazil through the Computer Act - which means that approximately 1.8 percent of the total revenues of Nokia's Brazilian subsidiary will be annually invested in the institute - and by the royalties generated by the solutions, products or services it will develop. Since it is an independent unit, there are no impediments for other companies that also benefit from the Computer Act to contribute to the institute in the future.

 

"Nokia already has sound global policies for investments in research and development, with dedicated centers in 14 countries. In 2002, 38% of our total labor force and more than 10% of our total net income were spent in activities in these areas", says Fernando Terni, president for Nokia Brazil. "Nokia is pleased to also implement this initiative in Brazil, thus strengthening our commitment to the country's progress as a whole. Brazil is currently Nokia's 9th largest market in the world and we are convinced of its economic and technological potential".

 

"IndT's main mission is to be a generator of new ideas, combining creativity, innovation and technical knowledge", explains Geraldo Feitoza, IndT's president- director. "In order to enable that, we will need to be flexible and open to project proposals. The areas of interest have been defined, and they will set the guidelines for our scope but, within that context, researchers, developers and students are free to suggest the widest rage of themes or applications. In that manner, we open the path and provide opportunities for new products and services to be created and effectively marketed, thus increasing competitiveness and benefiting the local economy".

 

 

Nokia in Brazil

Nokia has been in Brazil since 1991 through representatives and has had its own headquarters since 1996, including the divisions Nokia Mobile Phones (mobile phones), Nokia Networks (infrastructure) and Nokia Internet Communications (network security). It has a mobile phone manufacturing plant in Manaus, an infrastructure plant in São Paulo and offices in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, and Salvador. In 2002, the net revenues of the Brazilian subsidiary totaled $ 1.3 billion, which makes Brazil Nokia's ninth market worldwide. In the same period, exports have amounted to US$ 525 million. It employs 1,500 people.

 

INdT Brasilia

SCS Quadra 01- Bloco F - 6o. Andar - Brasilia - DF

Tel: +55 61 218 4210

INdT Manaus

Rodovia Torquato Tapajós nº 7200
Km 12 - Tarumã - Manaus - AM

Tel: +55 92 652 7200

About Nokia

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges. Visit the company's website: www.nokia.com.br

 

 

For further information, please contact:

Fábio Lopes - flopes@fundamento.com.br

Adriana Panzini - apanzini@fundamento.com.br

Fundamento Comunicação Empresarial

Phone +55 11 5536 4966, extensions 219 and 207