Nokia chosen by Pasubio Tecnologia for its public portal and intranet for local municipalities

May 14, 2002 - Pasubio Tecnologia, a private enterprise with public capital, has successfully deployed Nokia's IP network security appliances as the platform of choice integrating market-leading VPN-1(R)-FireWall-1(R) from Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ: CHKP) for its recent IT project.

Pasubio Tecnologia was created by a consortium of local authorities in the province of Vicenza, Italy to offer IT services to local public administration and to ensure that government administrations could meet the IT privacy laws of public data protection against intrusion. Its portal, Altovicentino.net, enables interconnections between commercial, private and governmental institutions and offers the integration of data across a number of local customers with planned and continued expansion. In addition, it provides an information service to local communities and an intranet system for the collation of information from twenty municipalities as well as for public payment of taxes, all through a secure and reliable network.

Pasubio Tecnologia's IT security concerns include the need to authenticate and control individual access to services as well as back-up and recovery at acceptable cost. A full spectrum of network management, firewall and intrusion features was also required. The security requirements were also focused on the twenty different entities running on the VPN and on the topology of all data traffic.

"The importance of a reliable and secure network for North Italy and its government administrations has been paramount. Our investors also look to a significant return on investment - network expansion required a scalable and cost-effective and Nokia met all challenges," comments Mr Luciano Binotto, technical manager, Pasubio Tecnologia.

The installed network is configured with a 2 Mb connection over Nokia IP network security platforms integrating global partner software, Check Point VPN-1/(R) FireWall-1 (R) for secure data interchange to every municipality. Pasubio Tecnologia also plans to include a total of 36 local authorities this year, providing total coverage of the Altovicentino region and access to the portal for all. Other projects under development in 2002 include the provision of interactive services, the remote management of the town planning functions, monitoring of local weather conditions through webcams and other enhanced online services.

"Today, organisations demand secure, reliable, and scalable security technology. They are fundamental for public and private sector alike to maintain ease of connection, customer service and information confidentiality," emphasizes Ernie Jones, VP Sales Europe, Middle East, Africa, Nokia Internet Communications. "Trust is hard won and easily lost. Nokia is pleased to provide the critical network trust required by Pasubio Tecnologia, its municiple investors and public in North Italy. It is also a reflection of the power of 2 key security players, Nokia and Check Point, working together for customer satisfaction."

About Pasubio Tecnologia
Pasubio Tecnologia was founded two years ago in Schio to provide IT infrastructure to nearby towns and villages. Along with the Vice Mayor of Schio and Mr Luigi Dalla Via as President, the company now incorporates thirteen local authorities from "Altovicentino", the region above Vicenza.

Pasubio Tecnologia offers IT services to the local public administrations and provides them with a web presence and related services, including the management of a large database available for public use. Similar services are also provided to small businesses, enterprises and organisations in the local area.

About Nokia Internet Communications
Nokia Internet Communications, headquartered in Mountain View, California, provides world-class Network Security, Virtual Private Network and Internet Traffic and Content Management solutions that ensure the security and reliability of corporate enterprise and managed service provider networks. Nokia is committed to enhancing the end user experience by bringing a new level of security and reliability to the network, enabling and Internet transaction that is personal and trusted-each and every time.

For more information, please visit www.nokia.com and click on Secure Network Solutions. Nokia Internet security and virtual private network appliances span the spectrum of price/performance points, and secure the widest range of network environments-from the smallest branch office to the largest Internet data center. The expansive product line, backed by world-class global support and services, provides customers the ability to deploy multiple solutions from a single product to secure all elements of a distributed enterprise.

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 a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.

For more information (Media and Industry Analysts only please):

Nokia Internet Communications:
Americas (California based)
Amy Grenier, Interactive Public Relations for Nokia Internet Communications
Tel. + 1 415 391 1106 x227
amy@ipri.com

EMEA (UK based)
Claire Backhurst
Tel. +44 7788 145460
claire.backhurst@nokia.com

APAC (Singapore based)
Bonnie Datta
Tel. +6597389743
bonnie.datta@nokia.com

www.nokia.com

PASUBIO TECNOLOGIA S.r.l.
Luciano Binotto
Tel. +39 0445 691.234
Luciano.Binotto@altovicentino.net
http://www.altovicentino.net