Nokia and Omnitel Vodafone make the first rich call in an end-to-end All-IP mobile network

Senior representatives of Nokia and Omnitel Vodafone have demonstrated the first rich call in an end-to-end All-IP mobile network at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France. The call enabled those on hand to be the first to experience and evaluate the architecture, functionality and benefits of a complete All-IP mobile network.

Rich calls consist of calls combining different media and services, such as voice, video and mobile multimedia messaging, into a single call session. An All-IP network uses efficient Internet protocol (IP) technology throughout the mobile network. The latest development in Nokia's All-IP system architecture is the All-IP radio-access network (RAN), an IP-based distributed radio access architecture, which was now demonstrated for the first time at the 3GSM World Congress.

The rich call demonstration showed clearly how All-IP combines different radio technologies into one radio-access network with optimized end-to-end Quality of Service. It further showed the rich end-user experience enabled by the All-IP core network.

"This is an important milestone in Nokia's All-IP technology development," says Dr. JT Bergqvist, Senior Vice President, Nokia Networks. "It's a great example how Nokia is able to quickly deploy the first prototypes based on emergent user requirements."

The Nokia All-IP network consists of the Nokia All-IP RAN, which integrates different radio access technologies into a single multiradio network, and the Nokia All-IP Core, which enables attractive multimedia communication services over different access networks. The Nokia All-IP network uses standard 3GPP air- and core-network interfaces to secure full interoperability with existing networks.

"This call proves that mobile networking is rapidly moving towards end-to-end IP networks, and Omnitel Vodafone aims to be one of the first operators to implement these," says Mr. Valerio Zingarelli, Chief Technical Officer, Omnitel Vodafone. "All-IP will simplify the network significantly, decreasing operational costs."

The call at the 3GSM World Congress was carried out using the Nokia All-IP RAN Experimental System architecture and the Nokia All-IP Core Pilot System located in a special demonstration center open to invited guests. The system allows guests to discover future mobile multimedia services and how the packet-optimized All-IP RAN handles increased packet-data traffic with fewer multimode network elements, optimizing both Quality of Service (QoS) and radio-network resources.

The volume of IP-based traffic has already exceeded that of circuit-switched traffic in most fixed networks. The same change will take place in mobile networks as new mobile services become available and more people use them in their daily communications. Current estimates show that in advanced mobile communication markets, packet-switched traffic will overtake circuit-switched traffic by 2005.

The Nokia All-IP Core enables rich calls, which combine different media and services into a single session, and thus generates additional traffic and revenue for operators. Nokia's innovative All-IP RAN multiradio architecture combines different radio technologies into a unified access network through the use of Common Radio Resource Management, common network elements and advanced control functions.

The Nokia All-IP RAN comprises a radio-access network architecture that is fully optimized for packet-switched traffic - the dominant form of mobile traffic in the near future - hence bringing the benefits of an Internet type of architecture to radio networks. This architecture makes the radio-access networks much more efficient by relocating key functions within the network, enabling faster throughput of user data. And by using a distributed architecture with no fixed connections, the elements have the scalability to handle any future service mix. The Nokia All-IP RAN is a single multi-radio network that is easier to operate and to optimize the use of available resources. Also, investments can be focused on one set of network elements. This will cut annual radio-access network capital expenditures by around 30% compared to conventional hierarchical radio-access networks.

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet, Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.

Further information:

Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38195
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com