Nokia and MobileOne (M1), one of the leading mobile and IDD service providers in Singapore, have entered into an agreement for the supply of the first High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network in Singapore. With Nokia’s support, M1 can offer high-quality network coverage and the very latest multimedia services to its mobile customers.

In addition to the HSPA supply, Nokia will expand M1′s WCDMA 3G radio network coverage and upgrade M1′s core network as well as provides a software upgrade. Also, included are network optimization and deployment services consisting of installation, commissioning, integration and acceptance testing of the network. The value of this agreement is USD 30 million.

“This award of Singapore’s first HSPA contract to Nokia is an important milestone for M1. It reaffirms our commitment to offer our customers high quality mobile services that combine mobility with higher speed and wide area coverage for data intensive business and consumer applications,” says Neil Montefiore, Chief Executive Officer of M1 “With HSPA, downloading of large files, multimedia and music on the move can be done at a fraction of the normal time required. It will certainly be seen as a technology that truly enhances our customers’ mobile experience and greatly improves their quality of life.”

“We are delighted to be selected as the preferred supplier of HSPA networks by M1. This win clearly confirms and demonstrates M1′s confidence in Nokia to deliver high-quality cutting-edge technology to mobile operators and consumers,” says Ricky Corker, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Networks, Nokia. “With Nokia, operators can bring a new class of services to market quickly, cost-effectively and with the highest network performance, this shows further proof of Nokia’s strength in advanced radio network technologies.”

Nokia is M1′s sole core network and WCDMA 3G network supplier.

In WCDMA 3G, Nokia has 60 customers to date. Nokia’s high-performing HSDPA is a simple software upgrade to Nokia WCDMA networks, thus enabling a fast, cost-effective rollout. Nokia HSDPA offers almost 10-times faster data services than current 3G networks, meaning an enhanced service experience. Nokia is a leader in the HSDPA market, with a large number of HSDPA contracts. Many network operators have already opened their HSDPA networks with the Nokia solution.

New customer can offer advanced mobile services thanks to Nokia’s Unified Core Network solution

Nokia has won a managed services and 3G/HSPA network deal with Mobily, a brand of Etihad Etisalat Company (EEC), in Saudi Arabia. The contract marks a new customer for Nokia in an important growth market, and highlights Nokia’s leadership in supplying and managing superior networks infrastructure.

Under the agreement, Nokia will provide as a managed service (build-operate-transfer) network optimization, operation and maintenance, care and hardware services and training. In addition, Nokia will provide installation, commissioning, integration, project management, network planning. The network will be supported by the multi-vendor proven Nokia NetAct(TM) network and service management system.

Nokia will supply its 3G radio and core network technology, including the Nokia High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) solution, and Nokia UltraSite base station subsystem to help keep the cost of ownership and operation of the network to a minimum, allowing services to be priced competitively. Nokia will also deliver its MSC Server mobile softswitch and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for fixed and mobile solution from its Unified Core Networks portfolio to provide mobily with a high capacity and cost-effective means to provide voice and IP-based services. The deliveries have already started and the network should be operational in July.

“We are excited to extend our mobile service offering to fast and high-quality 3G and HSDPA services. Our customers will be able to enjoy fast music downloads and mobile Internet access,” says Eng. Abdul aziz Al-Tamami, Chief Operating Officer, mobily. “We chose Nokia – among other vendors – to supply and manage their cutting edge 3G/HSDPA network because we are confident that Nokia’s solutions will help us to respond to customer requirements in the increasingly competitive Saudi market. We are extremely pleased with Nokia’s fast network roll-out and comprehensive services support.”

“Nokia is strongly committed to the Middle East and Africa markets and it is our pleasure to extend that commitment to our cooperation with mobily in Saudi Arabia,” said Walid Moneimne, Senior Vice President, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa region, Networks, Nokia. “Nokia’s solutions and services will let mobily develop its service offering to meet the growing demand for access to information, services and entertainment easier and faster than before, on the go.”

Nokia is a leader in bringing mobility to New Growth Markets. Nokia estimates the number of mobile subscribers to grow to three billion in 2008, and around 80 percent of this growth will come from fast-growing markets such as Saudi Arabia. Nokia expects that Middle-East and Africa will account for 20 percent of the next billion subscribers.

Nokia’s Managed Services business is a key part of its Services business unit, and a core part of the company’s drive to help operators enhance their service offerings and reduce costs. To date Nokia has 40 managed services contracts in 31 countries, and it expects this figure to grow in the coming years.

In WCDMA 3G, Nokia has 59 customers to date. Nokia’s high-performing HSDPA is a simple software upgrade to Nokia WCDMA networks, thus enabling cost-effective and fast rollout. In the first phase, Nokia HSDPA offers up to four times faster data services than current 3G, and consequently enhanced quality of service experience. Nokia is a leader in the HSDPA market, with over 20 contracts globally, many of which are in commercial use. Several network operators have already opened their HSDPA networks with the Nokia HSDPA.

Nokia is creating seamless user experiences in converging networks thanks to mobile softswitching and IMS for fixed and mobile. With close to 100 customers for its mobile softswitching, Nokia has delivered the majority of the world’s commercial 3GPP-compliant mobile softswitching. Nokia is also the front-runner in IMS for fixed and mobile networks, with over 85 references for IMS solutions, such as Push to talk over Cellular, while paving the way for network renewal with IMS-based voice and applications in fixed networks.

Nokia, a leader in WCDMA and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) contracts and deployments, today announced an extension to their WCDMA 3G indoor coverage solutions portfolio. The Nokia Pico WCDMA Base Station, showcased at Nokia Connection, supports WCDMA 3G and HSPA, allowing network operators to fully leverage the performance benefits of HSPA and capture more indoor network traffic, thus enhancing operator revenue opportunities.

“The accelerating deployment of WCDMA 3G and HSPA is increasing the use of data intensive mobile applications. This trend is accentuating the importance of in-building coverage and capacity solutions for 3G”, said Robin Lindahl, Vice President, Radio Networks, Nokia. “Nokia WCDMA 3G and HSPA indoor solutions help operators capture more revenue and further amplify fixed to mobile substitution.”

The Nokia Pico WCDMA Base Station allows operators to easily and cost efficiently build WCDMA 3G and HSPA coverage and capacity for indoor hotspots. The wall-mountable small base station, weighing only six kg, is easy to install in office buildings, shopping malls, aiports and other places with high network traffic. The Nokia Pico WCDMA Base Station is based on 3GPP standards and will be available for operator trials and pilots later in 2006 and for commercial deployments in mid 2007.

In addition to showing the Nokia Pico WCDMA Base Station, Nokia demonstrations at Nokia Connection include video and data calls on the Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station, EDGE Service Continuity and Nokia Internet-HSPA.