Nokia and NEU-ALPINE Jointly Market Wireless Data Solutions and Services in China

One of China’s largest software suppliers, Shenyang Neu-Alpine Software Co. Ltd. and Nokia, have signed an agreement today to establish a joint venture to develop and market advanced wireless data solutions and services to leading telecom operators.

The wireless application products and solutions to be provided by the joint venture will comprise of hardware; software, content, training, system integration and maintenance services in respect of messaging and wireless data solutions including SMS (Short Message Service) and WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) based solutions. These services and solutions will be specifically developed for the Chinese market.

As a fast-growing and emerging market for the telecommunications and Internet industries, China is a front-runner in rapidly moving towards the mobile information society. China’s largest telecom operator, China Mobile, launched WAP services in six major cities on March 28. WAP phone users in those cities can now access the Internet-based information and services. In addition, China Unicom launched WAP services in Shanghai on March 27 this year.

“Nokia’s vision is to establish the mobile information society that will transform the way people work, are entertained, shop and communicate. This will enable people to handle their work, life and communications with greater freedom and flexibility,” says Folke Ahlback, Senior Vice President and Chairman Nokia China Investment Co. “We are very pleased to co-operate with Neu-Alpine Software Co. Ltd., which is a leading applications supplier in China. We believe that the wireless data solutions we can jointly provide will allow our operator customers to offer more innovative and value added services to their customers and take a leading role in the mobile information society.”

Neu-Alpine Software Co. Ltd. was the first Chinese software company to become publicly listed. They are committed to developing application solutions with the philosophy of “Application Software Creates Value for Customers.” Neu-Alpine provides billing systems, client service management and Call Center application systems to GSM operators. It also offers complete application solutions, including IP Phone management, digital value-added service systems (WAP/SMS/Voice Box), and OA backgrounder and decision support systems.

“The mobile information society concept has been well accepted by the entire industry," said Doctor Liu Jiren, President of Neu-Alpine Software Co. Ltd., “ We are very excited to work with Nokia on this cutting edge technology, and the Nokia telecom platform is the best match for our applications. We believe the joint venture will deliver the superior solutions and highly satisfactory service to our customers.”

Neu-Alpine Software Co. Ltd. is one of the largest application software suppliers. It was the first Chinese software company to become public listed. The company listed on the Shanghai Securities Exchange in 1996. Its sales volume in 1999 was RMB 7,300 million.

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:

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