Nokia has been chosen as the sole supplier of multimedia messaging service (MMS) solution to mmO2 across all its European territories. The deal will allow consumers in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands, to send and receive text, images, graphics and sound blended into a single rich message.
Deliveries have already begun and the service is expected to be launched during October 2002.
Customers with MMS-enabled handsets will be able to compose their own multimedia message, comprising a mix of personal photographs, pictures, sound recordings as well as text and send it to another mobile or email address. They will also be able to access the O2 portal to download images from a photo album and image bank. A range of multimedia text alerts covering sport, entertainment, gossip, news, travel and weather will also be offered.
"Nokia has shown its commitment and ability to deliver tailor-made solutions and services that will be an advantage to us as we move forward toward next-generation services," explains Kent Thexton, Chief Marketing and Data Officer, mmO2.
"With MMS our customers will now be able to enjoy sending and receiving spontaneous photos and sound to share with friends, family and colleagues," adds Thexton.
"Nokia believes that the appeal of MMS services and devices will drive the uptake of GPRS medium-speed mobile data connections, resulting in important new revenue streams for both operators and content providers," says Peter Kuhne, Vice President, Global Account Management, Nokia Networks.
"MMS will greatly enhance existing text messaging (or ‘SMS’) services and will revolutionise the mobile communications market as it evolves towards 3G services. We are delighted to be working with mmO2 to make this a reality," he adds.
Nokia is delivering its MMS solution, including the Nokia Multimedia Messaging Center (MMSC), Nokia Profile Server and Nokia Multimedia Email Gateway. In addition Nokia will provide system implementation, integration and care services to maintain the competitiveness of the MMS solution.
Nokia has among the wireless industry’s most extensive track record in MMS with around 30 customers to date and an ever-growing number of launched systems, making multimedia messaging a reality for today's mobile consumers.
About mmO2
mmO2 has 100% ownership of mobile network operators in four countries - the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland - as well as a leading mobile internet portal business. All of these businesses have now been re-branded as O2. Additionally, the company has operations on the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom).
mmO2 was the first company in the world to launch and rollout a commercial GPRS (or 2.5G) network and has secured third generation mobile telephony (“3G”) licences in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany.
mmO2 has approximately 17. 75 million customers and some 14,000 employees, with revenues for the year ended 31 March 2002 of £4.276 million. Data represented 14.6% of total service revenues in the quarter ending 30 June 2002.
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.
Further information:
Global Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 7180 38195
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com