Aicent Drives Global GPRS Roaming with Sonera; Key GRX Peering Agreement Signed.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2002 Aicent and Sonera have signed an agreement to enable GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) The first high-speed digital data service provided by cellular carriers that used the GSM technology. GPRS added a packet-switched channel to GSM, which uses dedicated, circuit-switched channels for voice conversations. roaming for the two companies' mobile operator customers, with GRX Peering Amsterdam used as a common peering point. The agreement is the latest in a series of GRX agreements which Aicent and Sonera each has signed with the world's leading operators, enabling around 70 GPRS operators to be interconnected globally. Aicent recently announced the largest commercial, GRX-based GPRS roaming network in Asia, serving China Mobile (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : CHL CHL crown-heel length. , HKSE HKSE Hong Kong Stock Exchange : 0941.HK) and more than a dozen other leading mobile operators. Altogether, Aicent's GRX service reaches around 70 percent of the GSM/GPRS users in the Asia Pacific region, some 135 million mobile subscribers. "End-users expect the same roaming capabilities with GPRS as they are used to having with GSM. Nothing less will do," says Senior Vice President Timo Levoranta, Sonera Services. "In short, roaming is a crucial issue in the world of global mobile communications. The GSM Association recently called for GPRS roaming to be available to all the customers worldwide as soon as possible. This agreement between Sonera and Aicent represents a solid step taken in this direction by two leading GRX providers." "We are pleased to work with Sonera, a forerunner in GRX services," says Lynn Liu, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Aicent. "Peering with Sonera is another milestone adding a new footprint to the global reach of Aicent GRX. Now, together with Sonera and other peering partners, Aicent can interconnect some 70 GPRS operators around the world." Sonera Corporation (HEX: SRA, NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : SNRA) is a leading provider of mobile and advanced telecommunications services. Sonera is growing as an operator, as well as a provider of transaction and content services in Finland and in selected international markets. The company also offers advanced data solutions to businesses, and fixed network voice services in Finland and neighboring markets. In 2001, Sonera's revenues totalled EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 2.2 billion, and profit before extraordinary items and taxes was EUR 0.45 billion. Sonera employs about 10,000 people. www.sonera.com Aicent provides 2.5G/3G mobile data solutions and services to mobile operators and enterprises globally. Aicent's current product and service offerings include GRX services, mobile messaging services, and mobile office services. Aicent is based in San Jose, California San Jose (IPA: /ˌsænhoʊˈzeɪ/) is the third-largest city in California, and the tenth-largest in the United States. It is the county seat of Santa Clara County. , and has regional operation centers and offices in major Asian cities. www.aicent.com |
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