Nokia trialing GPRS core network with Cable & Wireless Optus for advanced mobile service pilots in Australia

Nokia is providing Australian GSM network operator, Cable & Wireless Optus with its General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) core network solution for the carriers’ pilot program in Sydney.
This pilot program allows Cable & Wireless Optus to provide enhanced mobile Internet access to its subscribers by offering packet switched data through the GSM network. GPRS offers a secure high-speed transmission technology for IP data traffic in the mobile network.
The system includes the Nokia SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node), Nokia GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node), Charging Gateway and IP backbone components necessary for GPRS deployment. The system is also viable for commercial GPRS services.
"Demand for new, innovative Internet related services is a growing trend that is driving mobile usage and GPRS is ideal platform for the introduction of future technologies," said Kevin Brough, Managing Director, Nokia Networks Australia.
"Nokia will work with Cable & Wireless Optus on bringing commercial grade services to the Australian marketplace in a pilot program with some of Cable & Wireless Optus key corporate clients in Sydney.”
Petri Pöyhönen, Head of GPRS Business Program, Nokia Networks says; "Nokia is pleased to be co-operating with Cable & Wireless Optus by delivering a GPRS core pilot network. Nokia has already delivered GPRS core networks around the world, and is the only vendor today to offer a complete GPRS billing system and customer care package including the Nokia Charging Centre.
GPRS also serves as an ideal bearer for WAP based applications. In addition, continuous connectivity enables a variety of new services, such as multimedia messaging, wireless corporate intranet, remote control and maintenance of appliances, and any number of monitoring or surveillance applications.
About Nokia
Nokia is paving the way to the Mobile Information Society with its innovative products and solutions. The company 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, Nokia's 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 56 000 people.

Further information:

Nokia Networks
Communications Department
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9511 38193
Fax (Int.) + 358 9511 38199

nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com