Nokia to deliver Network expansion to AIS in Thailand in USD 60 million agreement

Advance Info Service Plc (AIS) of Thailand and Nokia have signed an agreement valued at approximately USD 60 million for the expansion of AIS GSM networks, The agreement also includes the supply of value-added services platform equipment and professional services.

Under the agreement, Nokia will supply AIS GSM networks equipment, including Nokia Ultrasite Base Stations, Switching Centers and WAP Gateway. The Nokia UltraSite base station solution answers the increasing demand for higher voice and data traffic in today's mobile networks and the evolution to the Mobile Internet era. An industry-leading product, Nokia UltraSite can support GSM/EDGE, High Speed Data, GPRS, and WCDMA for 3G technologies.

In addition, Nokia will provide AIS radio network planning, construction works and implementation and network optimisation services. Deliveries have commenced and are expected to be completed during first quarter 2002. This agreement will enhance AIS' service coverage and capacity ; as well as enable AIS to offer its customers advanced value-added services based on Wireless Applications Protocol (WAP) and GPRS.

"We selected Nokia for this network expansion as we firmly believe Nokia is able to offer AIS the required advanced leading edge technology and committed support from Professional Services," says Wichian Mektrakarn, Vice President of Engineering , AIS.

"AIS is committed to bringing advanced wireless services that meets the needs of our customers in Thailand. To this end, this deal is an important milestone as it will enable AIS to provide a high quailty mobile network and also to roll-out innovative value added services that will differentiate us from our competitors." he added.

"We're very pleased to continue and further expand our existing long-term cooperation with AIS. This is an important step as it will allow AIS to fully benefit from Nokia's leadership in the wireless communication market," said Pekka Mielonen, Director Customer Operations, Nokia Thailand.

"Our leading edge GSM system equipment, complemented by value-adding service support, will provide AIS with a solution that supports the evolution to 3G technologies and services, such as EDGE and WCDMA, while immediately improving the quality and coverage of AIS existing voice and GPRS based data services nationwide," he added.

Advanced Info Service Plc. or AIS is the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand with over 4 million subscribers. AIS strongly believe that wireless communications will bring changes to the lives of the Thai people in the way they lead their lives, regardless of who they are and what they do. With the existence of endless communications posibilities, the quality of life is better.

A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region.

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.

Further information:

Global Communications Department
Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 7180 38195
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com