KPN teams up with Nokia to make the first 3rd Generation call in the Netherlands

KPN Research has today successfully completed the testing of 3rd Generation mobile applications and made the first public WCDMA call in The Netherlands with Nokia's live experimental test network.

The two companies have together tested and demonstrated mobile WCDMA applications over a live WCDMA test network. One of the applications tested by KPN in the Nokia Mobile 3G Demonstration Centre is their EasyGuide service, a prototype WCDMA service developed by KPN Research. EasyGuide creates a map of the caller's surrounding area, an ideal service for tourists. EasyGuide offers information about the city and offerings in the vicinity, making navigation much simpler.

"It is important that we work with industry leaders such as Nokia to investigate the possibilities in the field of 3rd Generation," says Marc Hofstra, KPN Research. "Key partnerships will secure current and future content creation for our future network, in order to position KPN Mobile at the forefront."

For network operators, WCDMA enables a gateway to mobile multimedia services, smoothly and efficiently. For the end-user, 3rd Generation Services will bring truly advanced mobile applications such as videotelephony, infotainment, mobile Internet and intranet access.

Eero Vallström, Vice President, WCDMA Business Program, Nokia Networks says, "The era of 3rd Generation will be driven by services, not technology. Nokia is pleased to expand its relationship with KPN into the field of 3rd generation communications networks to lay the ground for an environment where service creation is fast, simple and cost effective."

Nokia has experimental WCDMA field systems installed at facilities around the world, including Beijing, Hong Kong, Espoo Finland, and Yokosuka Japan. In addition, Nokia has built Mobile 3G Demonstration Centres for use by partner operators in Europe to undertake full evaluation and demonstration of 3rd generation applications in a completely live working environment. The Nokia WCDMA experimental systems provide sufficient network equipment, software and terminal prototypes to allow thorough testing of WCDMA technology. With this system, Nokia customers can experience samples of potential future applications and mobile Internet access at speeds up to 384 kbit/s.

Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its innovative products and solutions. Nokia is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, broadband and IP networks, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, net sales totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 56 000 people.

Further information:

Nokia Networks,
Communications Department
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193,
Fax (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199
nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com