The new service uses Nokia IP Multimedia Subsystem
Cannes, France - Following up on a previous announcement of November 2nd, 2004, Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM), the leading mobile telecoms operator in Italy, and Nokia today announced that they have finalized the details of their cooperation, and target a mass-market launch of the Video Sharing service in Italy in the second quarter of 2005. Video Sharing will be initially available to TIM customers with the new Nokia 6680 3G imaging smartphone - the world's first handset integrating this innovative functionality.
Video sharing is a multimedia service that allows people to view a live video or a video clip in real time during a normal voice call on their mobile phone. Sent from one phone to the other, both speakers can see the same video and discuss it, and then end the Video Sharing without ending the voice call. Video Sharing is based on standardized 3GPP and IETF technologies, and the specification is now available to the industry without a license fee at www.forum.nokia.com/SIP
TIM is fully committed to Nokia's open architecture for Video Sharing, and as a part of the cooperation, TIM and Nokia have also been working together to commercialize the solution on the Nokia 6630 terminal. TIM offers Video Sharing service under the TIM "Turbo Call" service brand.
The Video Sharing concept is based on the 3GPP IP Multimedia Subsystem. The Nokia IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network infrastructure, already in use in TIM's network, will be complemented by IMS network provisioning and OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) device settings management systems, so that Video Sharing can be smoothly and quickly deployed to the TIM customer base, together with other IMS peer-to-peer applications. The system integration into existing TIM's Customer Care and Business Support System, including charging systems, is a fundamental part of the cooperation. Nokia's IMS is a key element in the Core Network's development of TIM's network.
"The introduction of person-to-person Video Sharing during a voice call is a key evolutionary step for mobile video services, and it has a great mass market potential," says Luca Luciani, TIM's Chief Operating Officer. "We believe that Nokia's open architecture and leading-edge IMS-based technology together with TIM's expertise and competence as a network operator, form a winning combination for advanced service concepts like Video Sharing and future ones."
"We are pleased to cooperate with TIM on this latest achievement, and allow their customers to communicate through video in a very spontaneous and convenient manner," says Juha Putkiranta, Senior Vice President, Imaging, Nokia, and adds: "Nokia is strongly driving the openness of IP-based concepts like Video Sharing with the target to enable operators to offer a diversity of services independent of the network or handset."
"We are proud to continue our IMS cooperation with TIM: Nokia's IMS launch in TIM's commercial network is the first step towards the new Core networks architecture of the future," says Juha Äkras, Senior Vice President, Core Networks, Networks, Nokia, and adds: "Nokia's IMS fits well into TIM's existing network and minimizes capital and operating expenditure for the launch of new multimedia services."
About TIM
TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile), is the leading Italian mobile operator with 26.2 million lines in the domestic market (as of September 30, 2004). With its subsidiaries and associate companies in the Mediterranean basin and in South America, it has reached a total of 52 million lines (as of September 30, 2004). In the framework of a competitive scenario noteworthy for its high penetration rate in the domestic market and characterised by a rapid technological development, TIM's attention to innovation confirms its leadership in the traditional voice business while making it one of the fundamental players in the development of the telecommunications industry. In the course of 2003 TIM together with Orange, Telefonica Moviles and T-Mobile, set up the FreeMove alliance, which addresses over 170 million customers in 20 European countries.
Additional information on TIM can be found on www.tim.it
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com
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