Nokia chosen by Optimus in Portugal to bring GPRS capability to its mobile network

Optimus, one of the largest mobile operators in Portugal has chosen Nokia for the provision of its GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) core network. The three year deal will mean subscribers to the Optimus network will have the possibility of continuous connectivity to the Internet and faster access to new content-rich services.

The Nokia GPRS core network solution will be integrated into the existing Optimus GSM network allowing the roll-out of packet-based Mobile Internet services to around 85 per cent of the population in Portugal.

The Nokia GPRS solution includes the industry's strongest and most efficient core GPRS system and Connecting@Care support services.

"GPRS is an ideal bearer for WAP and mobile portal services, which we have already launched, " said Antonio Casanova, CEO, Optimus. "We see the mobile Internet as having great potential and with the Nokia GPRS system and Nokia's support, we will be able to meet that demand and be ideally positioned for the advent of 3G services."

"This agreement is significant for Nokia in Portugal and we are extremely pleased that Optimus chose Nokia to support them in their evolution to 3rd Generation packet data services," said Ilkka Savolainen, Managing Director, Nokia Networks Portugal. "Nokia is in a very strong position in supporting our customers for the launch of GPRS services in the near future. "

Since August 1999, Nokia has delivered and implemented over 40 GPRS core networks to leading operators in Europe, USA, Asia and China, and now has the largest installed base of any other supplier.

With Nokia, Optimus expects to reach an effective technological and operational development, to face the challenge of a new context of content-focused mobile e-business, currently expressed by the UMTS technology.

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 60 000 people.

Further information:

Communications Department
Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax + 358 9 5113 8199
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com