Hubei Quantong Telecom's Nokia 800 MHz TETRA trial network receives approval from the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry

The Nokia 800 MHz TETRA trial network delivered to Hubei Quantong of China in May has obtained approval from the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) of China. Nokia is the first manufacturer to have been granted the MII type approval for both TETRA base stations and terminals. Nokia's solution is also the only TETRA system in the world offering features such as Chinese short messaging and a Chinese-language interface.

The approval was granted at the Acceptance Test and Appraisal Meeting for the Hubei Quantong Telecom's 800 MHz TETRA Technical Trial Network. The meeting was held in Jingzhou, Hubei province, and was supported by the MII's National Radio Supervision Center and the Hubei Radio Administrative Committee Office.

At the appraisal meeting, experts judged as a great success the 800 MHz TETRA trial network provided by Nokia. They further stated that the trial network could serve as a model for the construction of public PMR communications networks in China.

The trial network system was demonstrated at the Seminar on the Development Strategy of Hubei PMR Communications Network at the beginning of August. It was also demonstrated at the National Radio organization Training Meeting for Management of 800 MHz PMR Frequency in September, which was hosted by the MII's Radio Administration Bureau. At the end of September, the system was moved to Jingzhou and underwent comprehensive testing by the MII.

The Hubei Quantong 800 MHz TETRA PMR system supplied by Nokia is tailored to the needs of China's market, combining local users' demand with Nokia's state-of-the-art technology. It provides high reliability, flexibility and performance. It also provides unique Chinese functions, including a Chinese interface, Chinese input and Chinese short messages. It is the world's only TETRA system with Chinese functions, and the first to have passed type approval test by the MII for both TETRA base station and terminals.

To further promote the development of TETRA localization, Nokia introduced to China its global cooperative partner plan - TWISP (TETRA Wireless Solution Partner). Nokia has signed an agreement for software development with Hubei Quantong Telecom as part of TWISP. Based on TWISP, Nokia supplied Hubei Quantong with a TETRA application programming interface, development tools, simulation tools and related training at the end of 2000.

About Nokia's TETRA System
As the leading supplier on the TETRA market, the excellence of Nokia's technological platform has proved its unchallenged capacity in supplying scalable networks. By the end of 2000, Nokia's large-sized or even nationwide TETRA networks had been put into operation in seven countries. In China, Nokia has signed TETRA contracts with the Hong Kong Police, CLP Power, the Hong Kong Fire Department and Tianjin Water.

Nokia is committed to a long-term development and preferred partnership in China. With innovative technology, Nokia has continuously strengthened its market position as a leading supplier of mobile and broadband network systems and mobile phones in China. China is Nokia's second largest market in the world. Nokia's investment in China has surpassed USD 1.7 billion. Nokia has established over twenty offices, eight joint ventures and two R&D centers, with over 5,500 employees in China.

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:

Communications Department
Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38195
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com