Nokia to expand Hutchison 3G Austria's WCDMA network


Nokia continues as sole 3G WCDMA core network supplier
 
Espoo, Finland - Hutchison 3G Austria has selected Nokia to expand its 3G WCDMA network. With this agreement Nokia will continue as the sole supplier for Hutchison 3G Austria's core network. In addition Nokia is supplying FlexiHopper microwave radio equipment. The expansion will increase Hutchison 3G Austria's core network capacity for the next years.  Deliveries have already begun.
 
The contract covers network equipment, network management software and related services for installation and care and maintenance support.
 
"We are happy to further extend our excellent cooperation with Nokia. With Nokia's advanced technologies, solutions and services we are confident in our ability to cater for our rapidly growing number of subscribers and continue offering our customers the most innovative and reliable multimedia mobile services, " says Berthold Thoma, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison 3G Austria. 
 
"The Austrian mobile communications market is highly competitive and we are pleased to continue supporting Hutchison 3G Austria as they further expand their WCDMA subscriber base. The Nokia solution will provide Hutchison 3G Austria an easy network evolution path to future innovative mobile services," says Rajeev Suri, Vice President, Networks, Nokia.
 
Under the contract Nokia is supplying a range of 3G WCDMA circuit and packet core network infrastructure, including Nokia Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) and Home Location Register (HLR), Nokia 3G SGSN as well as the Nokia FlexiHopper Plus microwave radio solution.
 
As part of its' offering Nokia is providing a wide variety of services including operations and support services, installation, spare part management, training, software maintenance and extensive care support. The Nokia NetAct (TM) network and service management system is also included as are a range of delivery and maintenance services.
 
About 3:
Hutchison 3G Austria is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited ("HWL"). Based in Hong Kong, HWL has been granted an UMTS license in November 2000 to operate third generation mobile services in Austria. In May 2003, Hutchison 3G Austria launched the first purely mobile multimedia in the Austrian market under the brand "3" and has already acquired more than 83,100 customers (status as of 18th August 2004). 3 is a convergence of telecommunication, Internet and classic media, providing innovative multimedia products and services for mobile usage (e.g. video call, video clips, etc.) and conventional mobile communication services (e.g. voice calls, SMS, MMS).
 
About Nokia:
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com
 
Media Inquiries:
 
Hutchison 3G Austria GmbH
Maritheres Paul
Company spokesperson
Tel.: +43 (0) 50660 33700
3Mobile: +43 (0) 660 3773773
Fax: +43 (0) 50660 10200
 
Nokia, Networks
Communications
Tel. +358 7180 38198
Email: networks.communications@nokia.com
 
Nokia
Communications
Tel. +358 7180 34900
Email: press.office@nokia.com
 
www.nokia.com
 
Notes to editors
 
Nokia FlexiHopper Plus, a new variant of successful FlexiHopper microwave family, enables operators to reduce occupied frequency spectrum by half, resulting in significant savings and enabling operators to double the capacity within the current frequency channel.
 
Nokia FlexiHopper Plus provides new modulation option, 32 TCM (Trellis Coded Modulation), which enables operators to save frequency spectrum and on frequency fees. FlexiHopper Plus has remotely selectable capacity and modulation, protecting operator investment and giving flexibility to adapt to future transmission needs.