Nokia has been selected by WIND as a turnkey supplier of a 3G system, including Nokia's unique mobility core network, radio access technology and mobile terminals. WIND has recently launched WAP services based on Nokia's solution for the supply and system integration of mobile Internet services.
As a result this frame agreement, which has been signed by the parties, gives WIND the competitive advantage in launching leading-edge 3G mobile Internet services across Italy, in the event that WIND obtains one of the Italian 3G licenses.
WIND is a new convergent telecom operator in Italy with fixed, mobile and Internet services. Established in 1997, WIND is one of the fastest start-ups the market has ever seen. Today, after 19 months of commercial operation (which began in March 1999), WIND has over 6,4 million customers and has reached the leadership in net acquisition of fixed and mobile.
WIND has chosen Nokia as a strategic partner, to ensure the rapid 3G network development and effective market introduction of 3G services. WIND will be able to begin preparations for 3G immediately and Nokia will integrate the new systems into the existing network. There will be huge opportunities for the creation of new services, and WIND intends to be a leading player in mobile Internet in Italy.
"This is another major milestone agreement for Nokia and we are very pleased to extend our co-operation with WIND in Italy. Nokia's 3G technology, together with system and service integration capabilities, will enable an operator such as WIND to have a head start in the introduction of mobile Internet networks services," says Giorgio Pucci, Managing Director, Nokia Networks, Nokia Italia S.p.A. "Nokia is looking forward to paving the way for Italy to enter the Mobile Information Society enabled by the integration of mobility and the Internet. This will contribute significantly to the development of Italy, helping it to establish a leading role in 3G, as already achieved in GSM, and to become a mobile Internet nation in Europe."
This agreement underlines Nokia's strength as a leading global 3G system supplier.
Nokia's 3G solution is based on open standards, platforms and interfaces, critical for a smooth evolution to commercial 3G services in a multi-vendor network. As an integral part of its 3G offering, Nokia also provides leading-edge mobile Internet application solutions, which will enable the vision of the Mobile Information Society to become a reality.
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.
Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 9 5113 8193, Fax + 358 9 5112 8199
Email: nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
www.wind.it
Notes to Editors:
3G is also known within Europe as UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. 3G is the future of mobile communications and in Nokia's vision, IP-based technologies will eventually form the core of the future mobile network. Nokia's GSM/UMTS system will gradually evolve to an all-IP system, having 3G GPRS network elements as its base.
The 3G system will complement the existing GSM system, not replace it. It will be the vehicle that provides wireless access to multimedia services, and a way to provide more voice capacity, or a mixture of voice and multimedia services.