Nokia introduces Nokia mPosition solution for location-based services – Including mCatch as the first product in the Nokia mPosition portfolio

The Nokia mPosition solution has been introduced today; a complete end-to-end solution providing operators with location based services for mobile networks. With location-based information and applications, mobile subscribers can access a range of new, personally relevant services, such as traffic and weather reports, restaurant, theatre or movie ticket bookings. Also, emergency services will be an important area for location based data.

Nokia mPosition can be implemented within an operator's network regardless of the network vendor, enabling operators to introduce location based services for current markets. The solution also provides a secure growth path from 2G to 3G, bringing a completely new dimension into operators' value-added business portfolio.

"With the introduction of new mobile services and applications, it is critical that network operators are able to be first to launch with new offerings, to begin brand building and operating new business models. With the Nokia mPosition solution, operators can begin this today as we can offer a wide selection of location based applications, middleware and integration services – everything needed to introduce new applications," says Pekka Pohjakallio, Director, Mobile Internet Applications, Nokia Networks.

Nokia is taking a lead role in working together with key players in the Mobile Internet and the mobile developer community, stimulating the creation of new innovative applications for location based services through an open developer community. Nokia mPosition uses open standards and common industry forum developments for application interfaces.

A new network based positioning system was also launched today, called Nokia mCatch, one of the solutions supported by Nokia mPosition. Nokia mCatch is a Location Based Services system that supports GSM networks with an upgrade path to GPRS, EDGE and 3G networks. It is designed to support the basic positioning methods of current standard GSM phones and later it will provide the high accuracy positioning based on E-OTD, A-GPS and IPDL-OTDOA technologies. Successful trials are currently underway with Nokia mCatch.

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

Notes to Editors:
E-OTD Enhanced Observed Time Difference
A-GPS Assisted Global Positioning System
IPDL-OTDOA – Idle Period DownLink Observed Time Difference of Arrival