Nokia confirms its breakthrough into the Japanese market signing 3G agreement with J-Phone Communications

J-Phone Communications Company has signed an agreement with Nokia for its 3G WCDMA network. With this agreement J-Phone Communications has widened its previous vendor base and selected Nokia as a 3G equipment supplier.

"We chose Nokia's 3G radio infrastructure as it is based on open standards and interfaces, critical for a smooth evolution to commercial WCDMA services in a multi-vendor network. Their proven mobility track record will be one of the keys in the building of our global 3G network," said Mr. Takeshi Hashino, Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer, J-Phone Communications Company.

"This breakthrough contract for Nokia underlines our front-running position in 3G today, and confirms our early entry into the Japanese infrastructure market. We are delighted to sign the agreement with J-Phone Communications and look forward to building a strong relationship with them in future, said Dr. J.T. Bergqvist, Senior Vice President, Nokia Networks.

The J-Phone Group won licences for 3rd Generation services in June. The award means the Group can prepare for the launch of 3rd Generation services starting from the forth quarter of 2001. The J-Phone Group networks forms one of Japan's largest PDC mobile service provider, with nine million customers. J-Phone Communications Company is the holding of J-Phone Group, and J-Phone Communications is owned by Japan Telecom, and BT and Vodafone/Airtouch plc as international partners.

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, broadband 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 60 000 people.

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