Espoo, Finland - Nokia and SMART Communications, Inc. (SMART) have signed an expansion contract worth approximately USD 70 million for Nokia to supply GSM/EDGE and core network equipment for SMART's continued network expansion program in the Philippines.

 

The agreement includes the GSM network solutions directed towards addressing the mass market.  SMART and Nokia will also cooperate to create and test new technologies and solutions.

 

"SMART aims to offer innovative, reliable and affordable mobile services as widely as possible. These investments will allow us to deliver life-enhancing services to our subscribers, thereby bridging further the digital divide in the Philippines," says Napoleon L. Nazareno, SMART President and CEO.

 

"SMART's GSM network expansion and enhancements are geared towards providing cost-effective coverage and increasing current subscriber capacity for better customer service. We are continuing to pursue our thrust to provide telecommunications services to underserved and unserved areas of the country," adds Ramon S. Fernandez, SMART's head for administration and materials management division.  

 

"We are always behind SMART in their quest to maintain their leadership role in the mobile industry. The world recognizes SMART as an innovation leader in the delivery of value added services. We are very pleased with the continued trust shown upon us by SMART with this contract," says Markku Nieminen, Account Director for SMART, Networks, Nokia.

 

"Nokia intends to continue supporting SMART to help satisfy the needs of the market through the delivery of a high quality network," he adds.

 

Nokia has been working with SMART since 1998, providing comprehensive services for the operator's GSM/GPRS/EDGE infrastructure over this period.

 

About SMART

SMART is the Philippines' leading wireless services provider with 17.5 million subscribers on its network as of end-September 2004.  Of the total subscriber base served, 13.3 million are under the brands Smart Gold, Smart Buddy, Smart Infinity, Addict Mobile and Smart Kid. The remaining 4.2 million subscribers are serviced through a reseller agreement with Piltel under the GSM brand Talk 'N Text. 

 

Since launching its GSM service in 1999, SMART has introduced world-first wireless data services, including mobile commerce services such as Smart Money, Smart Load and Smart Padala. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the largest Philippines telecommunications carrier, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

 

For more information, please visit www.smart.com.ph

  

About Nokia

A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region. You may visit the Nokia Asia-Pacific website at http://www.nokia-asia.com

 

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com

 

Media Enquiries:

 

Nokia Networks

Communications

Tel. 358 7180 38198

E-mail: networks.communications@nokia.com

 

Nokia

Communications

Tel. +358 7180 34900

E-mail: press.office@nokia.com

 

www.nokia.com

 

Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART)

Mon R. Isberto

Head, Public Affairs

Tel:     +632 511 3101

           +632 511 3106

Fax:    +632 511 3100

E-mail: rrisberto@smart.com.ph; publicaffairs@smart.com.ph

 

www.smart.com.ph