Nokia today announces the establishment a new branch office in Hangzhou and the inauguration of the Nokia Hangzhou R&D center. Mr. Lv Zushan, Standing Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, and Dr. Juhani Kuusi, Senior Vice President of Nokia Group and Head of the Nokia Research Center, attended the opening ceremony in Hangzhou. As an important part of Nokia’s global R&D network, the Hangzhou R&D Center will further strengthen Nokia’s long-term commitment to China, as well as its leading position in the 3G R&D field through close co-operation with local R&D partners.
“I’m very pleased to see Nokia reach a new milestone in China. The Hangzhou R&D Center is a win-win operational model for our close co-operation with local partners. We chose Hangzhou to set up a global R&D center for 3G technology, demonstrating our full confidence in the China market and its future communications industry development,” said Nokia’s Dr. Juhani Kuusi. “China’s wise decision to adopt GSM early is a strong basis on which the Chinese industry can build future success. Focusing on the mainstream GSM/EGPRS/WCDMA technology evolution, the Chinese industry, including operators, manufacturers and application developers, can secure access to the world’s most lucrative mobile communications market.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Nokia in establishing its branch office and opening a new global R&D center in Hangzhou. As a world-leading supplier of mobile communications, Nokia has brought the most advanced communications technology to China,” said Standing Vice Governor Lv Zushan. “Zhejiang is one of the most developed provinces in China with a strong foundation of economic, educational and technology development. We have full confidence in providing the Nokia R&D Center with our best support, and expect it to enjoy a favorable investment environment in Zhejiang Province.”
The Hangzhou R&D center is focusing on software development and platform technologies related to Nokia's 3G mobile networks. The results developed in Hangzhou will be used in Nokia-provided 3G networks worldwide. The center has already achieved solid results, and has contributed to two 3G platform releases, which have been commercially released during the Nokia 3G event on September 26th in Helsinki.
The Hangzhou R&D Center not only enhances China’s position in Nokia’s global research network, but also creates new patterns for technology transfer and local talent development. The center will transfer Nokia's existing 3G platform competences to build a pool of Chinese top talent with a mastery of the most highly developed 3G WCDMA technologies.
The establishment of the Hangzhou R&D Center further strengthened Nokia’s co-operation with Chinese universities and the science and research institutions. Currently, Nokia is working closely with Zhejiang University and other local partners.
Nokia is committed to long-term development and preferred partnership in China. With innovative technology, Nokia has continuously strengthened its market position in China as a leading supplier of mobile and broadband network systems and mobile phones. China is Nokia's second largest market. The company's investment in China has reached EUR 2.3 billion. Nokia has established more than twenty offices, eight joint ventures and two R&D centers, with over 5,000 employees in China.
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 7180 38195
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com