Nokia becomes first European member of MCC.

HELSINKI, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 1997--Nokia, one of the Europe's leading telecommunications systems and equipment manufacturers, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) to become the first MCC Associate member headquartered outside of North America.

"The communications and information technology industries are global industries, and effective international cooperation can help open new markets and increase opportunities for all involved," according to John W. McRary, chairman and CEO of MCC. Nokia is respected world- wide as an innovator and quality manufacturer of advanced electronics products, and its participation as an MCC member will add significantly to the strength of the consortium.

When it was founded in 1983, MCC's membership was limited to U.S. corporations. In 1988, in response to the U.S. Canada Free Trade Agreement, MCC's bylaws were amended to allow Canadian corporations to join, and Northern Telecom (now NORTEL) become the first non-U.S. member of MCC. From time to time, MCC has permitted project participation by other foreign corporations; however, until now no corporation outside of North America has been approved for Associate membership. Nokia has participated as a non-member in MCC's Low Cost Portables project for the past two years.

"In the two years Nokia has participated in MCC's Portables project, we have benefited from the knowledge we have gained," says Kari-Pekka Estola, Head of Electronics, Nokia Research Center. "We believe that becoming an Associate member of MCC will increase our opportunities for cooperative research with other leading electronics companies, and we look forward to participating in additional projects and studies. Membership in MCC also provides Nokia with a seat on the Requirements Advisory Board, which will allow us to participate in studies and influence MCC's technical direction."

"Nokia's decision to join MCC is made even more significant by their intimate knowledge of our organization, built on their association with the Portables project over the last several years," says McRary. Their decision to seek membership is an important affirmation of the excellence of the MCC's research and technical staff.

"Over the years since MCC's creation, the international competitiveness of US industry has improved significantly," says Bobby Inman, who served as MCC's founding chairman and CEO from 1983 to 1986. "In this new era of global partnerships, it is entirely appropriate that MCC's membership expand to include corporations beyond our borders, such as Nokia, that are recognized for their innovation and excellence."

"International partnerships have become a basic tool of business strategy in today's global marketplace," says Grant Dove, former MCC chairman and CEO, and a member of the MCC Board of Directors. "These kinds of alliances are no less important for R&D organizations seeking to insure that the results of their research are responsive to worldwide market trends."

Since its founding, MCC has maintained an active program of international information exchange facilitated by MCC's Global Technology Services group. Joint research projects are also conducted, such as the recently concluded technical study of hardware/software codesign with Europe's Open Microprocessor Systems Initiative (OMI). Non-member international companies can participate in projects, with the approval of project sponsors.

For example, Nokia and Samsung have participated in MCC's Low Cost Portables project, which is assessing the future of portable electronics design and manufacture. The project allows participating companies to reduce the risk and time-to-market for low cost electronic products that incorporate new technologies. The project involves a variety of research and technology development activities including technology roadmapping; evaluation of leading-edge products; manufacturing process flow and cost modeling; thermomechanical and electrical modeling; system design; and materials analysis.

About Nokia

Nokia Group, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, is an international telecommunications company with 1995 net sales of USD 8.4 billion. Nokia is Europe's largest, and the world's second largest, manufacturer of mobile phones, offering the most complete product range in GSM digital terminals, addressing every major user segment. Nokia is a world leading supplier of GSM/DCS cellular networks and a significant supplier of advanced access networks, multimedia equipment, and other telecommunications related products. Nokia employs 30,000 people worldwide and its shares are traded in Helsinki, New York, London, Stockholm, Frankfurt, and Paris. Visit Nokia s World Wide Web home page at http://www.nokia.com

About MCC

Since 1983, MCC has been among the leading technology research and development consortia. MCC provides a wide range of consortial research and development services, mapping precompetitive technology in advanced electronics and information technology to requirements for global business operations. Owned by 17 leading corporations, MCC provides a rich environment for multidisciplinary research and development, technology sourcing, and technology integration with a pervasive commitment to accelerating the creation, commercialization, and adoption of innovation in information technologies and advanced electronics.

Visit MCC's World Wide Web home page at http://www.mcc.com

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