Nokia introduces new addition to its Communicator family in North America

New Nokia 9000il Communicator to complement award winning Nokia 9000 series

(May 04, 1998) Nokia today introduced a new edition to the family of its award-winning communicators, the Nokia 9000il. Offering comprehensive features and advanced usability in all the major functions, the new communicator features a new look and backlighting within the PDA display.

In addition to voice calls, the communicator enables the user to send and receive faxes, e-mail and short messages, as well as access Internet services and corporate and public databases. Other applications include an electronic calendar, address book, notepad, and calculator. Nokia will begin shipping the new product at the end of May.

All the applications in the communicator (both the Nokia 9000i and new Nokia 9000il) such as telephone, fax, Internet and calendar, have enhanced functionality in order to provide even easier and faster usability. For example, the communicator supports short messages with up to 2,280 characters, the current standard being 160 characters. With the Text Web service based on Smart Messaging, the end-user is able to obtain information in a simple text format without graphics or logos from the Internet by using the short message service. Text Web information can include flight schedules, weather or traffic reports and stock news.

"Communications products, especially cellular phones, have developed immensely with regard to value-added services," said Haroon Alvi, director of business development, Nokia Mobile Phones, Americas. "The focus in wireless is shifting from voice-only to a combination of voice, data and messaging. There will be a wide variety of value-added services for both consumers and business users."

The communicator can be connected to a PC either via infrared or cable (included in the sales package) for file transfer or to store backup data stored on the communicator. It can also function as a fax modem when connected to a PC. The IntelliMigrate™ software from Puma Technology, included in the sales package, allows calendar and contact information to be imported from existing PDAs. Full synchronization capabilities can be achieved using Puma's Intellisync™ software (a free 30-day trial is included in the sales package). This application enables synchronization of calendar, contact and to-do list information between the communicator and PC-based applications such as MS Schedule+, NetManage ECCO, Goldmine, Day-Timer, Symantec ACT! 2.0, SideKick and Lotus Organizer. In addition, a host of other third-party applications are available for the communicator. More information can be found at http://www.nokia9000.com.

The communicator provides up to 3.5 hours of talk, fax, or data time, or up to 33 hours of standby time. If the phone is switched off, the communicator is able to standby for a week without being recharged. Data will not be lost even if the main battery runs out. The Nokia 9000 Communicator was originally introduced to the GSM market in 1996. It is currently sold in more than 30 GSM 900/1800/1900 markets worldwide and it has won numerous international awards based on its innovative, revolutionary, yet user-friendly concept.

Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a broad-scope telecommunications company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and PC monitors. With sales in 130 countries, net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia employs more than 36,000 people worldwide. Find us at http://www.nokia.com.