Nokia opens 3G Systems Integration Center in France

Nokia today announced the opening of a new center offering a full range of Systems Integration services to operators and ISPs (Internet Service Providers).

Focusing on 3G and Mobile Internet technologies and applications, the center, based near Paris, France, will offer IP and mobile system integration services ranging from consultancy to architecture, technical design, development, project management and integration.

The Center is now operational and has already been working on WAP and GPRS services and applications and will soon start on 3G.

The Nokia Systems Integration Center will serve a dual purpose. Firstly it will help customers integrate Nokia products, such as Nokia charging gateway and charging centre, Nokia mobile Internet platforms and products, OSS (Operational Support Systems) and multimedia messaging service centers, into their 3G core networks.

Secondly, Nokia will develop end to end solutions for customers who want to be able to offer multi-media services and applications to their end-user customers. The Center will build-on Nokia's capabilities in networks, service platforms and terminals, as well as Nokia's wide ranging cooperation partnerships with over 800 developer companies globally.

"Nokia believes that the key to a successful 3G business is services and applications, not technology per se, " said Ari Lehtoranta, Vice President and General Manager Systems Integration, Nokia Networks, "What counts is that customers are able to use services easily and operators build value on top of their networks. Already we see a huge interest from operators to work with Nokia on delivering end to end services and applications, speeding up the take off of WAP and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) services.

The Center will support both consumer and corporate mobile internet applications and enabling technologies, concentrating initially on access to information, location-based services and entertainment.

In addition it will provide system integration capabilities for GSM, GPRS, WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) and EDGE (Enhanced Data rates over GSM Evolution), as well as working around ADSL/broadband solutions in order to fulfill Nokia's All IP vision which plays an important role in bringing a faster, broader variety of services to the end users

"In the first stage the Center will primarily serve the French market due to overwhelming demand for services and applications as Nokia is seen as a leader in WAP, GPRS and 3G, but ultimately it will have worldwide responsibilities," added Paul-Henri Ferrand, Area General Manager, Nokia France and North West Africa.

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