Nokia and Taiwan Cellular Corp. (TCC), the flagship mobile operator of the Taiwan Telecom Group, today signed an agreement for Nokia to be supplier of TCC's 3G network in Taiwan. The agreement represents another major milestone in Nokia's goal to expand its share of the WCDMA market to 35%.
Deliveries are slated to begin in first quarter 2003 with Nokia providing both 3G core and radio-access network equipment for the roll-out and introduction of TCC's nationwide WCDMA network.
The Nokia WCDMA 3G solution will enable the nearly 8 million mobile subscribers of the privately held Telecom Group to enjoy advanced multimedia mobile services, such as multimedia messaging, mobile entertainment, mobile location services, corporate services, and m-commerce.
Nokia has been working with TCC since early 2001, having supplied the operator's whole GPRS solution.
"3G is a cornerstone of advanced mobile services, and currently 34 operators worldwide have chosen Nokia's WCDMA solution. TCC is now joining these forward-looking service providers who see WCDMA as the best evolutionary path to true multimedia services," said Mikko Heikkonen, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Nokia Networks. "Nokia has the industry's widest experience in WCDMA roll-out. The recent demonstration of seamless handover in live 2G and 3G networks, combined with Friday's launch of J-Phone's Nokia-supplied WCDMA network underscore the success of the Nokia solution."
"With the advantages of the Nokia WCDMA solution, we believe that TCC will successfully evolve to deliver new value to its customers with future generation services and applications," added Mr. Heikkonen.
WCDMA is the most efficient technology for integrated mobile voice and data networks. WCDMA - like GSM/EDGE technologies - is a fully standardized global solution with open interfaces. It provides high-data rates and the benefits of global production volumes. WCDMA is fast emerging as the global standard of choice for next-generation communications, with 85% of the global 3G network markets expected to be based on WCDMA. Nokia is a leading supplier in WCDMA infrastructure, with over 30 customers around the world.
Taiwan Telecom Group is the biggest private telecom group in Taiwan. Taiwan Cellular Corporation (GSM 1800 operator with 6,130,000 subscribers as of Oct 2002), TransAsia Telecom (GSM 900 operator with 1,740,000 subscribers as of Oct 2002), and Taiwan Fixed Networks are the operator portfolio companies of this Group. The Group takes the leadership position in Taiwan mobile industry with 33.5% market share.
A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region.
Nokia is well underway to reach its 35% market share target in WCDMA. In addition to the agreement with Taiwan Cellular, Nokia has in the last two months signed WCDMA agreements with Vodafone (Ireland), J-Phone (Japan) and Chungwa Telecom (Taiwan).
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: networks.communications@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
APAC Communications
Tel: (+65) 6723 1999/(+65) 6723 1824
Email: communications.apac@nokia.com
www.nokia-asia.com