Nokia has opened a 3G Interoperability Testing laboratory (IOT) in Paris, France, concentrating on network integration and interoperability testing between Nokia's network elements and other vendors' networks.
The laboratory has worldwide responsibility for ensuring full interoperability between Nokia's 3G network equipment and other operators network equipment and terminals. Nokia 3G Interoperability tests will be carried out for the core network and IP backbone network as well as for 3G radio access, 3G compatible base stations and terminals.
The activity will allow Nokia to test 3G equipment interoperability at a very early phase, giving operators and vendors the possibility to have access to Nokia technology before it is fully commercially available.
"Network interoperability and open interfaces are crucial in the 3G era to enable end-users to benefit from Mobile Internet services and applications wherever they are as it enables roaming," said Paul-Henri Ferrand, Area General Manager, Nokia France and North West Africa, "With this lab operators will be able to leverage expertise to ensure that network interoperability tests are performed in time to meet their requirements.
The current lab will be based at the current interoperability lab that was set up initially for GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) testing.
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 60,000 people.
Contact information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax + 358 9 5113 8199
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
Notes to Editors:
The Nokia All-IP core can be connected to major radio and data network standards, enabling a secure, complete, future proof end to end network for 3G Mobile Multimedia. Based on a revolutionary path from current GPRS packet core and GSM circuit switched core, the Nokia All-IP core will support IPv6, required to cater for the hundreds of millions of users of the Mobile Internet, and to establish proper quality of service and security in IP networks.
Nokia has been driving the standardisation towards 3rd generation networks and is committed to be the first supplier to deliver a complete 3GPP standard compliant All-IP commercial solution. Nokia's commitment to open interfaces and therefore true freedom of choice and competition is shown in the company's determination to drive the open Iu interface and IPv6 and to be adopted in 3G mobile networks.