Nokia and Radiolinja sign agreement for the development and delivery of Nokia mCatch positioning system for mobile Internet networks

Nokia and Finland-based mobile operator, Radiolinja, have signed an agreement for partnering in development and supply of Nokia mCatch, which enables location based services to be introduced into mobile Internet networks. Radiolinja will contribute RX (Received Signal Strength) Algorithms for Nokia mCatch.

"We have previously been piloting location based services and now with the introduction of services based on Nokia mCatch, we will open up a whole new dimension of applications for the mass market," says Mikko J. Salminen Vice President of Technology, Radiolinja. "Location Based Services will become important as we move towards 3G and the Nokia solution is ideal as it can be scaled to meet increases in demand, and the accuracy needs of enhanced mobile networks."

"As networks evolve towards 3rd Generation, services and applications, play an increasingly important role and Nokia is taking the lead together with key players in Mobile Internet and the mobile developer community, stimulating the creation of new innovative applications, now," says Matti Lankinen, General Manager, Location Communication Systems Business Program, Nokia. "We are pleased to sign this agreement with Radiolinja which will enable the rapid introduction of exciting new services next year."

Nokia mCatch supports open standards and industry forum developments for GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Centre) application interfaces. It enables Location Based Services for the positioning of all existing GSM phones, using various technologies like Cell ID, (Cell Identity) Timing Advance and RX levels. As part of the Nokia mPosition solution, Nokia mCatch supports different location methods and can be easily upgraded for 3G mobile networks.

Radiolinja will be the first operator to implement GSM-based mCatch. Trials of the system are expected to begin in January 2001.With new Location Based Services, mobile subscribers can access a range of new, exciting services, relevant to their location, such as tourist information, weather and traffic reports, tracking, restaurant and theatre ticket bookings.

Founded in 1988, Oy Radiolinja Ab was the first company in the world to open a GSM network, in 1991. The Radiolinja Group comprises Oy Radiolinja Ab, the subsidiaries Radiolinja Eesti AS, SIA Radiolinja Latvija, Globalstar Northern Europe LTD and Kiinteistö Oy Espoon Keilasatama 5 and the associated companies Onbusiness Oy and Kiinteistö Oy Herrainmäen Luolasto. Consolidated net sales in 1999 came to FIM 3.037 billion and the personnel numbered almost a thousand.

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, broadband 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
nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com

Mikko J. Salminen, Oy Radiolinja Ab
Tel. + 358 50 5066850, + 358 50 8506 6850
mikko.salminen@radiolinja.fi
www.radiolinja.fi