Nokia and OSS through Java(TM) Initiative release service activation API to support innovative OSS/BSS solutions

Nokia and other participants in the OSS through Java(TM) Initiative - including BEA, Cygent, Digital Fairway, Ericsson, MetaSolv, Motorola, NEC, Nortel, Sun Microsystems and Telcordia Technologies - announced today the release of the OSS Service Activation API, the latest in a series of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) designed to support the rapid development of business-critical solutions for communications companies worldwide. The development and deployment of the API has been spearheaded by Nokia.

The OSS Service Activation API provides interfaces for integrated management solutions supporting a variety of Service Activation functions, including activating, querying, modifying and canceling services. The API will allow Java developers to build advanced integration-ready service activation solutions. This will eliminate the need for customized integrations ­ a costly process that adds no functionality to the applications ­ and speed the deployment of innovative OSS (Operations Support System) and BSS (Business Support Systems) solutions.

"Before we introduced this API, there was a barrier to the cost-effective development of new service activation solutions to support today's rapidly evolving communications systems," says Jorma Häkkinen, Vice President and General Manager of Operations Support Systems, Nokia Networks. "The Service Activation API provides a much-needed open development environment for solutions providers who are addressing the needs of operational support systems. Communications companies and ultimately consumers will benefit from advanced service activation solutions that bridge the gap between the legacy systems and next-generation communications systems, including a wide range of advanced mobile applications."

"The OSS Service Activation API will accelerate the development of flexible solutions for next- generation networks," said Philippe Lalande, manager of the OSS through Java Initiative at Sun. "Developers everywhere will be able to concentrate on building function-rich applications that will integrate rapidly into existing or new OSS/BSS systems and will interoperate easily with other components of these systems. The Service Activation API is part of a series of APIs that we are making available free of charge to the industry. We have already released a Trouble Ticket API and APIs for Quality of Service (QoS), Billing and Inventory are scheduled for release in the near future."

The OSS Through Java Initiative will demonstrate its latest APIs, as well as the work in progress on new APIs, at TeleManagement World (Booth #16) in Nice, France, May 13-16, 2002. In addition, some members will participate in the TeleManagement Forum's Catalyst project on Mobile Field Service (Booth #2) led by PwC Consulting and sponsored by BTexact, and will demonstrate how OSS through Java technology-based solutions realize next-generation OSS principles.

The Initiative's APIs use Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE(TM)) and XML. They are standardized under the latest Java Community Process(SM) (JCP) program, which has been successfully used to create technologies such as J2EE, JDBC API and Java Messaging Service. The Service Activation API is JSR is 0000089 and can be found on the JCP website. http://jcp.org/jsr/detail/89.jsp.

The specification, reference implementation code, and technology compatibility kit for the Service Activation API can be downloaded at: http://jcp.org/jsr/tech/oss.jsp.

About the OSS through Java Initiative
Building on the success of Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE(TM)) technology in enterprise applications and e-commerce, the OSS through Java Initiative is chartered to develop APIs that accelerate the development of innovative OSS/BSS solutions where all applications function together. The Initiative's APIs are standardized under the latest Java Community Process(SM) (JCP) program. JCP deliverables for each application area consist of a specification, a reference implementation, and a technology compatibility kit - all of which, including source code, are made available to the industry free of charge. The Initiative's APIs help Service Providers jumpstart the deployment of end-to-end services on next-generation wireless networks and leverage the convergence of telecommunications and Internet-based solutions. For more information on the OSS through Java initiative, visit: java.sun.com/products/oss.

About Nokia
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 one of the most broadly held companies in the world with listings on six major exchanges.

Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. (Int.) + 358 (0) 7180 38193
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com

Bill Wilbert
WW Communications
+1-503-771-7440
Ossj-pr@sun.com

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