Nokia and Hong Kong CSL Limited (CSL) today announced an agreement for Nokia to deliver EDGE enhancements to CSL's current GSM data network, which will increase capacity at higher speeds and improve the quality of service to CSL's data service users. At the same time, CSL has begun to offer the Nokia 6220 phone, the first EDGE-enabled videophone available in Asia Pacific.
The EDGE enhancements will improve the user experience with existing services such as browsing, messaging and downloads, as well as provide an ideal environment for the commercial expansion of advanced new data services which employ video services.
Under the agreement, Nokia, which is the sole supplier of the EDGE infrastructure, will provide upgrades and expansions to CSL's current GSM/GPRS network, together with support services. This agreement follows CSL's decision to deploy WCDMA as its forthcoming service for even higher data rates.
"Our deal with Nokia will enable CSL to add EDGE enhancements to our existing GSM/GPRS data, which will support our development of services that will benefit business and consumer customer segments and maintain our market-leading position in Hong Kong," said Hubert Ng, Chief Executive Officer, CSL. "Nokia, our long-term vendor, has a proven track record for delivering solutions which integrate seamlessly with our existing network and which enable a smooth migration path to 3G mobile services," added Ng.
"Nokia is happy to continue its close long-standing relationship with CSL," said Andy Paton, Account Director CSL Team, Nokia Networks, Asia Pacific. "Through this agreement, CSL's data network capability will be quickly enhanced to handle the rapid growth in data services, while ensuring a smooth and efficient evolution path to WCMDA as data demands grow even further in the future. This agreement further demonstrates our commitment to providing complete GSM systems to carriers like CSL, offering a direct and cost-effective migration path to the next-generation."
"EDGE is a natural enhancement for GSM/GPRS networks in boosting the performance of the existing data services as well as enabling a wide range of rich multimedia services," explained Paton.
Nokia has been working with CSL since 1991, providing the operator's full GSM infrastructure solution over this period.
About Hong Kong CSL Limited ("CSL")
CSL is a pioneer in the mobile communications market in Hong Kong. Combining technical and engineering excellence with an in-depth understanding of the mobile market, it translates leading-edge technologies into customer-focused solutions that meet the needs of different market segments.
The Company is acknowledged as the first in Hong Kong to employ a distinctive market segmentation strategy by marketing its services through its mobile brands: 1O1O and One2Free. Quality and innovation are the commitments delivered to all mobile customers through these two brands.
The Company launched its mobile services early in 1983 and today operates a world-class GSM/Dual Band network. CSL also offers comprehensive pre-paid mobile services and international roaming services with the widest coverage in more than 220 destinations around the world.
The Company became the world's first operator to introduce a High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) service in May 2000, and, in November 2000, it launched the first commercial General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) in Hong Kong.
CSL was chosen "Best Asian GSM Operator" in the Telecom Asia Readers' Choice Awards, an honor the Company has won in three of the last five years.
In October 2001, CSL was awarded a 3G Mobile Service License in Hong Kong. The Company also introduced Asia's first Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) in March 2002. CSL continues to develop innovative and sophisticated data services and is committed to building a world-class 3G infrastructure for both end-users and application developers, leading local mobile communications into a new era.
About Nokia
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.
Note to Editors
EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution) features are part of the GSM specifications and is a 3G technology defined by ITU and 3GPP. EDGE is an important part of the smooth evolution to GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA multiradio networks. Together, EDGE and WCDMA ensure the fastest adoption of 3G multimedia services for all mobile subscribers.
With EDGE, operators can provide consumers with a three-fold increase in data-rates and capacity through their GSM/GPRS networks; boosting the revenues generated by operators from the GSM frequencies and reducing the cost of building new capacity for the increasing usage of attractive data services. EDGE offers full backwards compatibility to GSM/GPRS services.
In Asia Pacific, Nokia has successfully completed EDGE trials with mobile operators Globe Telecoms and SMART Communications in first half of 2003.
Designed for mobile professionals, the Nokia 6220 features an integrated camera, EDGE and GPRS connectivity, high-quality color display, MMS, JavaTM technology and supports presence-enhanced contacts. With its high speed packet-based data GPRS and EDGE connectivity, the Nokia 6220 enables more powerful and faster browsing experience, messaging, and content download, faster connection, increased efficiency for downloading large data files and richer and more compelling graphical content.
Further information:
Global Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 7180 38195
Email: networks.communications@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
Nokia APAC Communications
Tel: +65 6723 1999/+65 6723 1824
Email: communications.apac@nokia.com
www.nokia-asia.com
Nokia
Communications
Tel: +358 7180 34900
Email: press.office@nokia.com
Vivian Shek
CSL
Tel : +852 2883 5029
Fax : +852 2250 4220
Email : vivian.yl.shek@hkcsl.com