From the first service launches in 2001, Nokia will provide full compatibility to the Iu Interface, according to the 3GPP defined (3rd Generation Partnership Program) standards. This enables multivendor interconnection between the core network and the Radio Access Network (RAN).
"We intend to start the multivendor test planning with all major suppliers during this quarter", says Dr. J. T. Bergqvist, Senior Vice President at Nokia Networks and responsible for Nokia's 3rd Generation network business globally. Though the first one to announce its firm commitment, Nokia expects other leading manufacturers to follow with similar assurances within the coming weeks.
Dr. Bergqvist added: "This is very good news for our operator customers as it meets their requirements for open Iu interface. We are confident in meeting the tight time schedules to reach the 3GPP system functionality and cross-supplier interoperability in time for the earliest deliveries."
"We welcome Nokia's commitment to provide an early open Iu Interface in the 3rd Generation networks", says Mr. Arun Sarin, CEO, USA and Asia-Pacific, Airtouch-Vodafone, "We are sure that the open interface will energise the market and provide best possible economies to the operators and, therefore, to the future end-users of the 3rd Generation services."
An open Iu Interface is critical for 3rd Generation network interoperability and addresses the functional requirements of the various radio access and core systems, such as call control, mobility management and handovers.
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, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, net sales totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 55 000 people.