Leading German mobile operator E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG has chosen Nokia to supply and deploy its 3G network. Nokia will be the exclusive vendor for E-Plus' 3G core network and a major supplier of its radio-access network. The contract, valued at 150 million euros, continues the near-decade-long relationship between the two companies.
In addition to network equipment, Nokia will provide its Network Deployment Package, which covers implementation and project management, and the Nokia KeyCareTM Package, which maintains the competitiveness of the network after roll-out.
Deliveries begin immediately and include equipment for the entire core network and a major proportion of the base stations to be deployed in E-Plus' 3G network.
"E-Plus wants to launch UMTS in a very competitive time frame," says Horst Lennertz, CTO, KPN Mobile Group. "Clearly not all equipment makers are able to match our requirements for timely roll-out and radio-access network sharing. But, thanks to our long history of working with Nokia, we are confident that we have now found the partner that can make it happen. In addition to reliable delivery and deployment, the Nokia solution brings considerable savings in operating expenditures. We know that with Nokia we can secure success."
Nokia was E-Plus' first GSM supplier. Since 1993, Nokia has provided all E-Plus' GSM core network and the vast majority of its GSM radio network. Nokia has also supplied E-Plus' GPRS network.
"Nokia is very pleased to win E-Plus' confidence as a competitive 3G supplier," says Mikko Heikkonen, Executive Vice-President, Nokia Networks. "By extending our cooperation with E-Plus we are demonstrating that with Nokia it is possible to continuously add value. We offer a 3G solution that is flexible and scalable enough to meet the future needs of E-Plus as it enters the 3G era."
About E-Plus
With 7.5 million customers (in 01/2002) E-Plus is the third-largest mobile phone provider in Germany. E-Plus business is based on profitable growth and its activities are guided strictly by operating results. Therefore E-Plus focuses on business and private target groups with a high turnover.
E-Plus is one of the pioneers in mobile multimedia in Germany and with i-modeTM E-Plus offers access to mobile services at a quality previously unheard of in Europe. i-modeTM is fast and colourful and offers a comprehensive range of information, services and entertainment. Thanks to i-modeTM mail multimedia messaging with E-Plus has already become a reality.
The choice of E-Plus services will become even greater with the start of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). E-Plus is one of the six companies that will roll out and run a modern UMTS network in Germany in the next few years. E-Plus' shareholders are KPN Mobile N.V. with 77.49 per cent and the BellSouth Corp. with 22.51 per cent. BellSouth is going to exchange its shares in E-Plus for ordinary shares in Royal KPN N.V. The transaction is expected to be finalised in the second quarter of 2002, after which E-Plus will be fully owned by the KPN group.
About Nokia
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 broadband 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 one of the most broadly held companies in the world with listings on six major exchanges.
Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. (Int.) + 358 (0) 7180 38195
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com