Nokia Introduces 3G Mobile Switching Centre, Enabling Operators to be First-to-Market With 3G Services.

Business and Technology Editors

HELSINKI, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2000

For mobile operators evolving towards the introduction of 3G services, Nokia today introduces 3G functionality for mobile switches with the Nokia 3G MSC. This enables new and existing operators to be first-to-market with 3G services, while building their network according to capacity needs without over-investing in new equipment.

With a software upgrade and minimal hardware upgrade, existing mobile switching centres can be upgraded to support both 2G and 3G traffic The Nokia 3G MSC brings a smooth evolution from GSM to 3G and can offer a market leading capacity of 600,000 subscribers.

3G core networks will initially use existing circuit switched paths through the mobile switching centres for time-critical voice and video services. Non-time-critical services, such as messaging and retrieval services, will use packet switching through GPRS network elements. Nokia has also launched 3G All-IP Core concept for mobile networks. Nokia's 3G core network solution not only evolves from GSM to 3G but can further evolve to an all-IP network.

With evolution being key to cost efficiency and risk management, the modular design of the Nokia 3G MSC enables fast implementation of 3G networks, giving new and existing customers the ability to be first-to-market with 3G service launches.

The Nokia 3G MSC also supports open standards and interfaces, ensuring multivendor and multinetwork capabilities to meet the time-to-market requirements for Nokia's operator customers.

Nokia has been driving the standardisation towards 3rd generation networks and is committed to be the first supplier to deliver a complete 3GPP standard compliant WCDMA commercial solution. Nokia's commitment to open interfaces and therefore true freedom of choice and competition is shown in the company's determination to drive the IPv6 and open Iu interface to be adopted in 3G mobile networks.

Nokia is paving the way to the Mobile Information Society with its innovative products and solutions. The company is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, Nokia's net sales totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 56 000 people.

Notes to Editors:

Standards organizations and other related bodies have agreed to co-operate for the production of a complete set of globally applicable Technical Specifications for a 3rd Generation Mobile System based on the evolved GSM core networks and the radio access technologies supported by 3GPP partners.

The Project is entitled the "Third Generation Partnership Project" and may be known by the acronym "3GPP".