Nokia and KG Telecom, Taiwan's leading operator with 3.05 million subscribers, have signed an agreement to cooperate on the development of 3G (3rd Generation) mobile networks and applications.
The Memorandum of Understanding includes co-operation on the definition and creation of future 3G and mobile IP services. They will also work together on network technology development, to prepare for the early introduction of standards-compliant 3G services in KG Telecom's network.
The early development of 3G applications is crucial in order to a gain head start in the introduction of true mobile 3G and Internet services and applications for customers and KG Telecom and Nokia will cooperate in establishing a Service Creation Center to develop state-of-the-art applications. A team of Nokia application developers will also work with KG Telecom to create new, exciting services.
Nokia will supply a fully functional 3G experimental sytem which will be used by KG Telecom to evaluate, test and demonstrate end-to-end mobile multimedia applications in a totally live working environment.
"With Nokia, KG Telecom will be able to develop services that make true mobile Internet a reality," said Jimmy Yau, President & COO, KG Telecom, "This collaboration is part of our commitment to becoming a leader in 3G in Taiwan and offer our customers next-generation communications services."
In September KG Telecom launched Taiwan's first GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network, supplied by Nokia. An early launch of packet radio services is essentially the first step towards 3G and operators can begin to introduce new Mobile Internet services and applications today.
"Nokia is pleased to further deepen its relationship with KG Telecom in helping to ensure it has the capability to introduce 3G services when the markets are ready," said Petri Reijonen, General Manager, Nokia Taiwan, "3G will primarily be driven by applications and services and operators who start developing them now will have a strong advantage in the 3G race, hence Nokia continues to work with operators like KG Telecom around the world."
KG Telecom, an experienced GSM1800 telecommunications service provider, is a subsidiary of the Koos Group. The Koos Group is aggressively investing further in expanding its satellite, CATV, wired and wireless broadband communications systems in Taiwan. KG Telecom is leading Taiwan's emerging telecommunications market, pioneering new technology and bringing unmatched services to its customers in Taiwan and abroad.
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.
Contact information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 9 5113 8193, Fax + 358 9 5113 8199
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com