Nokia and AT&T Wireless further advance collaboration in 3G IP Multimedia

(February 21, 2001)

Nokia demonstrates IP Multimedia services in 3GSM World Congress, Cannes - an extension to Nokia All-IP Mobility Core launch

Nokia and AT&T Wireless Services (AWS) are taking the first steps in the mobile IP Multimedia age in the US, by trialing real 3G rich call and multimedia services based on 3GPP Release 2000 International Standards. The cooperation includes testing mobile Voice over IP (VoIP) and rich call applications such as videotelephony, document sharing, calling line image and multimedia messaging.

Nokia is demonstrating these applications and launching the IP Multimedia subsystem at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes this week. The demonstration provides an opportunity to experience the look and feel of tomorrow's services and technologies today. The applications are run over the Nokia All-IP Mobility Core network utilising Nokia's All-IP Mobility Core network elements and application servers.

Since June 2000, the two companies have completed several milestones in the trial project, including VoIP using Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) call control, Adaptive Multi-Rate speech codec (AMR), streaming audio and video, and simultaneous voice and data calls with Quality of Service (QoS) scheduling.

"IP Multimedia will enable enhanced end-user experience, faster service creation and more efficient network usage," said Rod Nelson, senior vice president and chief technology officer of AWS, " This new technology will allow customers to access information easily, regardless of the location or access technology they are using. AWS is very proud of being in the forefront of developing this service for its customers."

"The cooperation represents just another chapter in our long strategic technology alliance with AT&T Wireless," said Dr. JT Bergqvist, Senior Vice President, IP Mobility Networks, Nokia Networks, "It supports the Nokia All-IP Mobility Core network strategy and proves our global leadership as a mobile IP technology vendor. Nokia anticipates that packet-switched traffic will exceed circuit switched in the mobility core network by 2005 and Nokia is committed to be first with the implementation of All-IP Mobility Core in 2002."

The Nokia All-IP Mobility Core will reduce capital and operational costs through cost-competitive architecture offering improvements in service creation over existing circuit switched solutions, as those traditional solutions will not meet the requirements for creating and facilitating advanced 3G services. The IP Multimedia services are enabled by the new Nokia All-IP Mobility Core network elements; Nokia FlexiServer™ Call Processing Server, Nokia FlexiServer™ Home Subscriber Server and the Nokia Multimedia Gateway. An All-IP mobility core for future 3G services is critical as it supports and enables packet data transmission in the network, giving the capability for a range of new IP-based services to be delivered to future terminals as well as bringing faster data speeds, and smooth interactivity with Internet services.

The Nokia All-IP Mobility Core can be connected to any major radio and data network standards, enabling a secure, complete, future proof end to end network for 3G Mobile Multimedia. On a revolutionary path from current GSM circuit switched core and based on enhanced packet radio capabilities reaching beyond current GPRS capabilities, the Nokia All-IP Mobility Core will support IPv6, required to cater for the hundreds of millions of users of the Mobile Internet, and to establish proper quality of service and security in IP networks.

In November 2000, Nokia Networks announced it will supply AT&T Wireless with GPRS-ready 1900 MHz radio network systems and to support evolution to EDGE and UMTS third-generation services.

AT&T Wireless Services (NYSE: AWE) operates one of the largest digital wireless networks in North America. With more than 15 million subscribers (including partnership markets), AT&T Wireless is committed to being the premier provider of high-quality wireless communication services, whether mobile or fixed, voice or data, to business or consumers, in the U.S. and internationally.

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.