Nokia and Radiolinja, the Finnish mobile operator, have successfully demonstrated Service Area Identity (SAI) positioning technology as part of the Nokia mPosition solution. The field trials were carried out using Radiolinja's "pre commercial" WCDMA network and achieved good results in accurately determining a user's position within the range of a single network cell.
The field trials were carried out in a combined urban and suburban area in Tampere, Finland. Most tests were carried out in a moving vehicle.
"The field trial of 3G location-based services now realized is a natural continuation of the co-operation Radiolinja has done with Nokia," says Ari Asikainen, Chief Executive Office, Radiolinja Origo Oy. "The experience we have gained now helps us to smoothly move the 2G location-based services to the 3G network, so that end-users don't perceive any difference in service."
"Nokia, in good cooperation with Radiolinja has demonstrated its WCDMA location capabilities," says Heikki Hemmi, General Manager, Location Business Program, Nokia Networks. "This is an important step in showing the smooth evolution path of location services from 2G to 3G in practice."
Service Area Identity is an advanced position technology used in WCDMA networks to determine the physical location of a mobile subscriber, thus enabling location-relevant services which are one of the key elements in the Mobile Internet. Deployment of SAI positioning can be made with minimum additional network investment because the GSM and WCDMA network architectures can use the same positioning calculation and Gateway Mobile Location servers. There is virtually no cost burden for terminals either, since SAI does not require any support from terminals.
Nokia is a leader in positioning technologies. The Nokia mPosition SAI solution demonstrated in these field trials has a smooth evolution path towards the 3GPP standard based CI+RTT and A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning System) enhanced positioning technologies also used in WCDMA networks.
Radiolinja is a pioneer in location-based services in Europe as well as in Finland. Standardization and R&D work of location-based services are an important part of Radiolinja's activities. The first commercial services were launched during the spring 2002.
About Radiolinja
Founded in 1988, Oy Radiolinja Ab was the first company in the world to open a GSM network, in 1991. Radiolinja is an operator focusing on wireless mobile telecommunications which offers digital mobile telecommunications services to private and corporate customers. Radiolinja produces and actively develops various mobile services to enable Finns to communicate independently of time and location. The Radiolinja Group includes Oy Radiolinja Ab, and the subsidiaries Radiolinja Eesti AS, Radiolinja Origo Oy, Radiolinja Aava Oy, Ecosite Oy and the chain stores Mäkitorppa Oy, Radiolinja Solutions Oy, Kamastore Oy and Radiolinja Piste Oy. The Group's net sales in 2001 totalled EUR 686 million and it had more than 1,800 employees. Radiolinja forms part of the Elisa 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 a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38193
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
Anne Suomi
Product Manager
Radiolinja Origo OY
Tel: +358 50 506 5065
E-Mail: anne.suomi@radiolinja.fi