Nokia and Western Wireless sign $150 million agreement for GSM 1900 network equipment

IRVING, Texas (March 16, 1998) - Western PCS Corp., a subsidiary of Western Wireless Corp. (NASDAQ:WWCA), and Nokia have signed a $150 million contract for the supply of GSM 1900 network equipment.

Nokia will deliver a range of equipment to Western Wireless, including Nokia's base station subsystem which includes Nokia's base station controller and high capacity base stations. In addition, Nokia will provide the NMS/2000 (Network Management System), a fully integrated management system that collects and manages the network’s operations and maintenance data. Various engineering services associated with installation and maintenance of the system are also included in the contract.

During 1998 Western PCS will construct its Seattle and Phoenix markets using the Nokia base station subsystem equipment. Western PCS currently uses Nokia base station subsystem equipment in its Portland and Des Moines markets.

"Nokia is delighted to be providing our feature-rich, easily expandable base station subsystem to Western Wireless," said Jyrki Salo, president of Nokia's infrastructure business group in the Americas. "Nokia's GSM 1900 system will enable Western Wireless to offer its customers world-class features and functionality."

"We are pleased to expand our relationship with Nokia. The outstanding performance of Nokia systems is vital to providing the quality and reliability that our VoiceStream customers expect," said Bob Stapleton, president of Western Wireless.

Nokia offers total GSM systems, with everything from digital mobile phones to transmission to switching. Nokia holds the world's number one position in GSM 1800 networks and is one of the top two suppliers in GSM 900 networks. To date, Nokia GSM technology has been supplied to 67 operators in 35 countries.

Headquartered in Finland, Nokia (NYSE:NOKA) develops, manufactures and supplies mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and computer monitors to consumers and businesses 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 www.nokia.com.

Based in Issaquah, Wash., Western Wireless is a leading provider of wireless communications services in the western United States. It currently offers cellular service marketed under the Cellular One name in 17 western states and provides PCS marketed under the VoiceStream Wireless name in 11 states using the globally dominant GSM technology. Western Wireless' combined cellular and PCS licenses, along with its investment in Cook Inlet, cover 59 percent of the land in the continental United States plus the Hawaiian Islands.