Nokia and PTK Centertel sign Euro 200 million GSM and GPRS expansion contract in Poland

Nokia and PTK Centertel Sp. z o.o., the dualband GSM operator in Poland, have signed a 200 million euro frame agreement for the supply of GSM and GPRS mobile network infrastructure. The deal will cover deliveries during 2001 and 2002.

Nokia will continue delivering network infrastructure equipment to Centertel for the Idea network, including Nokia mobile switching centres, base stations, base station controllers and GPRS infrastructure. Additionally, a wide range of customer services will be supplied, covering implementation and technical support.

"Our company’s strategy focuses on being the most innovative operator on the Polish market. This new contract will aid Centertel to reach its business goal: offering most advanced and high quality services to our subscribers," says Mr. Marek Józefiak, CEO, PTK Centertel.

"We are very pleased that Centertel’s fast growing network is based on our technology and services " says Wojciech Pytel, Area General Manager, Nokia Networks Poland. "Nokia is at the forefront of development and implementation of GPRS infrastructure for mobile operators. With this advancement Centertel will be able to create new content-rich services services."

The Nokia GPRS solution includes the industry's strongest and most efficient core GPRS system, including applications consultancy and systems integration expertise to integrate the GPRS core network into the existing service delivery and billing environment. Nokia has delivered and implemented well over 50 GPRS core networks to leading operators in Europe, USA, Asia and China, and now has the largest installed base of any supplier. Around 15 Nokia supplied GPRS networks have been launched, more than half of the commercial GPRS launches today.

About Centertel
PTK Centertel, a limited liability company, is the operator of two mobile phone networks in Poland: the digital Idea with almost 1,700,000 users and the analogue NMT450i (Centertel) with 120,000 users. A nation-wide dualband (GSM 900/1800) Idea network offers: POP the pre-paid offer, OPTIMA the post-paid offer and a unique offer for corporate customers – MERITUM. In both networks several services are available, including voice mail, data and fax transmission, Internet access (WAP, IdeaNet), fast GPRS, WBK24WAP mobile-banking services, VISAWBK Idea Profit credit card, banking phone services, information services, short text messages (SMS), intelligent network services, cellular phone booths, ECG by phone, and roaming services through 180 operators across the world. PTK Centertel’s shareholders are: Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. (Polish national telecom) with 66% of shares and France Telecom Mobiles International with 34% of shares.
www.idea.pl

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 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.

Further information:

Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38193
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com