Nokia has today officially opened a second and third building in its global Product Creation Centre in Farnborough, UK.
In addition to leading-edge research and development in mobile phones, the new facilities house a regional centre for IP network security products as well as Virtual Private Network (VPN) expertise, wireless software solutions, and customer support for the telecommunications network operator business. This reflects the combined efforts of Nokia's business units towards combining mobility and the internet towards a society where people can freely connect to one another and to various sources of information and services.
Nokia opened the first phase of its global research and development centre for mobile phones at Southwood, near Farnborough in Hampshire in September, 1998. To begin with, R&D work concentrated on products largely for the American and Japanese markets. Now work is looking at the development of technologies and future products for the next generation of phones. This includes not only cellular technology but also the wide range of applications and services which the next generation products will offer such as browsing, messaging, entertainment and location based services. The Southwood Product Creation Centre works with Nokia R&D sites and partners across the world.
Other activities at the Southwood complex include a global state-of-the-art mobile phone testing facility, a global Product Design Centre, university liason, global environmental work and regional security operations.The buildings represent a combined floor space of 32,500 square metres (350,000 square feet). The opening is being attended by Mr Gerald Howarth, MP for Aldershot. Also present is Mr Matti Alahuhta, President of Nokia Mobile Phones, who comments "Representing some of the most technologically advanced and future-orientated work at Nokia, the skilled workforce and excellent facilities at Southwood are not only a major asset to the company, they are an important development for the local community and will continue to play a key role in bringing benefits to people the world over."
About Nokia in the UK
In the UK, Nokia employs almost 3,000 staff in over 20 sites. It has R&D operations in four locations and a base station production plant. A full range of Nokia products, from mobile phones and multimedia terminals to mobile, fixed and IP network solutions, can be found on the market. Nokia's shares have been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1987. Nokia is supporting charities such as Mencap, and currently funding the Make a Connection programme, a project by Children and Youth Partnership Foundation to help in the development of emotional and social skills of young people.
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 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:
David Stoneham, Nokia UK, Tel. +44 1252 865000
Julia Gibbons or Gia Goodman at GBC, Tel. 0208 3221922
www.nokia.com