Nokia and Simoco demonstrate TETRA open standards with successful interoperability and patent cross-licensing agreement

Nokia and Simoco have together demonstrated the advantages of open standardization and interoperability of TETRA, after successful interoperability tests, which conform to the TETRA Interoperability Profile (TIP) Specification Version 1.

The two companies have signed a global cross-licensing agreement covering TETRA base station equipment and TETRA terminals. The agreement, which also applies to the US market, includes cross-licencing of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR's) relating to TETRA equipment.

"Interoperability of our systems and terminals reduces the risks for customers compared with buying proprietary systems. Open standards stimulate a whole community of experience and applications," says John Drake, at Simoco.

Kari Suneli, Senior Vice President, Professional Mobile Radio, Nokia Networks says: "The goal of interoperability is to ensure an open and competitive TETRA market that corresponds to customers expectations. Nokia has always been in favour of non-proprietary standards, which benefit the industry as a whole. This cross licensing agreement, underlines our commitment not only to TETRA but also to today's global multi-vendor market."

Today's TETRA systems offer a secure, dedicated digital professional mobile radio network for organizations such as public safety and security, transportation and utility companies. In order to give flexibility and scaleability to TETRA operators, while maintaining the security and resilience of the network, interoperability is important for professional mobile radio networks.

Based in Cambridge, UK, British-owned Simoco is a specialist provider of mobile communications equipment and services. Committed to working closely with its customers and delivering the best mobile communications systems to professionals on the move, it manufactures advanced analogue and digital radios; designs, builds and maintains complete network solutions; and helps customers to integrate IT, telephony, mobile radio and mobile data equipment to provide effective communications.

Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its innovative products and solutions. The company is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, Nokia's 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. +358 9 511 38193
Fax. +358 9 511 38200

Vanessa Wong, Edelman PR Worldwide
vwong@edeluk.com
Tel. + 44 (0)20 7344 1349
Fax. + 44 (0)20 7344 1209