Nokia and Siemens announce joint support for a global open standard for broadband wireless networks

At the 3GSM World Congress 2002 in Cannes, Siemens Information and Communication Mobile (IC Mobile) and Nokia announced their joint support and coordination for the speedy conclusion of the standardization process within the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) on the Broadband Radio Access Networks Hiper Access (BRAN HA). The two companies will cooperate with the aim of integrating the basic frame and features of ETSI BRAN with some of the characteristic features recently published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., IEEE 802.16, the first non-proprietary standard for broadband wireless access usage.

The resulting standard is designed for fast and flexible wireless broadband access to buildings, as well as for cost effective point-to-multipoint backhaul solutions in mobile networks. This will provide a much faster network roll-out for mobile operators and therefore reduce their capital expenditure and operating costs significantly.

The target is to achieve a single worldwide standard combining the best of both standards and provide a migration path from the current products to an IP-optimized solution. The standard will be a breakthrough in the wireless-access industry and an important step towards open network architectures. This approach will speed up the development process significantly and thus will provide effective provision of state-of-the-art equipment in a much shorter timeframe.

"This is an important milestone and inspires confidence in the broadband wireless space in the All-IP era," said Pekka Soini, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Broadband Systems, Nokia Networks.

"We will create a solution which provides for global, open standards through a seamless migration path," said said Dr. Valentin Chapero Rueda, President of Networks within the Information and Communication Mobile Group.

Nokia Networks and Siemens IC Mobile also announced their intention to promote vendor interoperability as a basic element of the coming standard. Such vendor interoperability is seen as a key item in the future of broadband wireless networks.

The two companies are also inviting others to join in creating this global interoperability standard for future-proof wireless networks.

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 one of the most broadly held companies in the world with listings on six major exchanges.

The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (IC Mobile) offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers and cordless phones as well as products for wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes GSM, GPRS and 3G mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Mobile Applications cover end-to-end solutions for Messaging, Location Based Services or Mobile Payment. For the fiscal year 2001 (September 30), IC Mobile recorded sales of EUR 11.3 billion and employed 30,730 people worldwide.


Further information:

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

www.nokia.com

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http://www.siemens-mobile.com

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