Espoo, Finland - Emirates Telecommunications Corporation - Etisalat, has selected Nokia to supply its Push to talk over Cellular (PoC) network solution. This will be the first push to talk service in the UAE.
Nokia also provides the Nokia Presence solution, which is based on open standards and provides support to PoC, as well as to many other applications. The Nokia Presence solution adds a whole new dimension to staying in touch by letting mobile subscribers know how and when they can reach their family, friends, or colleagues -- before making a call.
With push to talk, people can use their mobile phones like walkie-talkies, communicating with a selected group or with individuals at the push of a button. Both business and private users can benefit from this simple, direct communication. Push to talk is especially suited for cases where users need to communicate occasionally but repeatedly with the same group or individual.
"Our successful cooperation with Nokia coupled with its market-leading push to talk solution made Nokia the obvious choice in deploying this attractive new service in the UAE," said H.E. Mohammed Hassan Omran, CEO, Etisalat.
"Nokia fully supports the vision of Etisalat's management and the successful steps already taken to transform Etisalat into a global player that provides state-of-the-art telecommunications services to its domestic, regional and international customers," says Dr. Walid Moneimne, Senior Vice President, EMEA region, Nokia Networks. "This deal will establish a win-win relationship and provide a great opportunity for our teams to work closely while realising Etisalat's international ambitions."
Nokia's end-to-end push to talk solution offers a full feature set, and it will be compliant with the upcoming OMA standard. Nokia's solution is compatible with the IP multimedia subsystem as standardized in 3GPP, and it will be capable of supporting various push-to-media, such as video. With 39 commercial contracts with GSM operators, and more than 30 operator trials ongoing, Nokia is leading the market for Push to talk over Cellular in GSM. There are 19 Nokia GSM PoC handsets available in the UAE.
About Etisalat
Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) is the current provider of telephone and Internet services in the UAE. Operating since 1976, Etisalat has consistently strived to improve its services through the adoption of the newest telecoms technology and services.
Etisalat is considered one of the most innovative telecommunications service providers in the region, with the distinction of being the first operator in the region to launch 3G GSM, and has also been recognized as achieving the highest Internet penetration in the region.
Etisalat divisions and subsidiaries include Internet services for business and consumers, a Smart card manufacturing facility, a data clearing house, Contact Centre, submarine cable laying and maintenance services, several international submarine cable links and cable laying services, an international Internet exchange, educational Academy, and Cable television provider.
Learn more about Etisalat at www.etisalat.ae
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com
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Notes to the editor:
Nokia's Networks business group has recently opened a regional distribution hub for mobile network infrastructure in Dubai. The location offers the ideal mix of infrastructure and transport resources to help Nokia serve growing business in the Asian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa. Nokia has also recently opened an office in the business-friendly Dubai.