Nokia and the Greek operator Telestet have demonstrated the first public WCDMA 3G call in Greece over a network ready for commercial use. The demonstration, which was conducted at the Info-Com Conference 2003 in Athens, also included a series of 3G services.
The call demonstration was carried out by Telestet employees using the commercially available Nokia 6650 phone, as well as third-party prototypes.
During the demonstration, a series of services were on display to the public, including video call, streaming, Internet browsing, and access to webcams, using data speeds of up to 384 kilobits/sec.
"3G is here now and on display for our customers," says Mr. Gamberini, Chief Network Officer of TELESTET at the Info - Com Conference, "We're happy with Nokia's support in making this demonstration possible. For us it's further proof of Nokia's strong commitment to assist TELESTET in its UMTS plans. We have the ambition to remain at the edge of telecommunication innovative solutions and we therefore consider 3G another substantial technical challenge. Our goal is to offer fascinating and easy- to-use 3G services to our customers by the end of the year".
"Exactly 10 years ago, Telestet was the first operator in Greece to go commercially with a 2G call," says Mr. Athanasios Exarchos, Senior Account Manager, Nokia Networks. "Telestet has now once again pioneered and reached a historical milestone with the first public demonstration of 3G services in the Greek market. Nokia is proud to have provided the technology to enable this call and is happy to partner with such a market innovator as Telestet."
TELESTET, the brand name for STET Hellas Telecommunications SA is at the forefront of mobile communications in Europe. To its growing base of more than 2.7 million customers in Greece, the company offers some of the most innovative products and services in the market. TELESTET acquired a license for deploying 3G network and services in July 2001. To meet license demands and market expectations, it plans to launch the first 3G services towards the end of 2003 and to this end it has already deployed a 3G network in Athens, the capital of Greece and Salonica, the second largest city.
TELESTET's majority shareholder is TIM International NV of the Telecom Italia Group (NYSE: TI), and its stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ and Amsterdam exchanges (NASDAQ: STHLY; Amsterdam: STHLS)
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 38198
E-mail: networks.communications@nokia.com
www.nokia.com