Nokia to supply mobile network expansion to MobiNil in Egypt – laying the ground for GPRS and WAP services

Nokia and MobiNil (The Egyptian Company for Mobile Services) ECMS have signed an agreement for the expansion of the MobiNil GSM network in Egypt. The contract marks another new GSM customer for Nokia.

In the initial phase of the expansion, Nokia will provide high capacity mobile switches and microwave transmission equipment. The agreement covers also the supply of the Nokia mPlatform Solution, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) core network and the delivery of Nokia's WAP solution for the creation of mobile Internet services in several regions within Egypt.

In addition, a range of professional services will also be supplied, as well as the Nokia Network Management System. Deliveries will begin immediately and the initial phase of the network expansion is expected to be in operation by April this year.

"With this agreement, Nokia will become one of the main strategic GSM system suppliers to MobiNil, for our future network developments. The integration of Nokia's solutions into our network will enable us to keep pace with the growth of our network capacity and introduction of new services," said Mr. Osman Sultan, President & CEO, ECMS.

Pertti Melamies, Area Vice President, Nokia Networks, says; "This is an important milestone for us in expanding our business in the Middle-East & Africa region, and underlines the success of Nokia's reliable, field-proven and future-proof solutions. An early introduction of WAP and GPRS platforms is crucial in making the market for mobile value-added services, and we aim to take a leading role in stimulating the market."

The number of operators to which Nokia supplies GSM technology is now 103 operators in 48 countries. Nokia ranks as the world's largest turnkey supplier of GSM networks.

The Nokia GPRS solution includes the industry's most mature and scleable carrier class core GPRS system, including applications consultancy and systems integration expertise to integrate the GPRS core network into the existing service delivery and billing environment. Nokia has delivered and implemented over 50 GPRS core networks to leading operators in Europe, USA, Asia and China, and has clearly the largest installed base of any GPRS supplier. More than 20 Nokia supplied GPRS networks have been launched, more than half of the commercial GPRS launches today.

The Egyptian Company for Mobile Services, MobiNil, (www.mobinil.com), is Egypt’s largest mobile operator with a state-of-the-art GSM 900 mobile network. Its major shareholders include France Telecom and Orascom Telecom. It is the largest and most liquid stock in the Egyptian stock exchange, (stock ticker EMOB.CA). Established in May 1998, the company has more than 1.2 million subscribers today. Mobinil’s vision is an integral part of its logo - “A Mobile in Every Hand” - a promise of growth, prosperity, and value for its customers, employees, and investors. MobiNil leads the market with a comprehensive and innovative range of mobile services in voice, data, and content.

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 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 38193
Email: nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com