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Thailand's First EDGE Trial Puts DTAC In the First Wave of Operators
Globally Moving Towards Advanced Mobile Services; Nokia's EDGE Solutions
Selected for High Quality Network Services
HELSINKI, Finland, Apr 3, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Total Access Communication (DTAC) and Nokia announced the successful completion of the first EDGE call in Thailand and among the first operator calls worldwide.
The EDGE call in a laboratory environment is part of the first phase DTAC EDGE trial using commercial equipment from Nokia.
With EDGE technology, mobile phone operators can offer customers higher quality network services that combine high-speed data, voice, audio, video and text.
"With its industry leading solution Nokia was the clear choice for EDGE. DTAC welcomes this trial as it will make us ready to be the first operator in Thailand to roll out EDGE when the market is ready," says Sigve Brekke, DTAC's Co-Chief Executive Officer.
"There was a clear shift in interest towards EDGE in 2002. Many operators worldwide have started to roll out GSM/EDGE hardware. We at Nokia are delighted that DTAC has demonstrated strong commitment to the global standard of GSM and its trust in Nokia. We are excited to trial our EDGE technology with DTAC," adds Kristian Strand, Account Director, Nokia Networks.
To date, Nokia has supplied DTAC with complete GSM systems and solutions comprising of Nokia Base Station Subsystems, Nokia Switching Subsystem and GPRS Core Network, Nokia Multimedia Messaging Center (MMSC), Short Message Service Centre (SMSC), Nokia Intelligent Network (IN) Platform and Network Consultancy Services.
Nokia has delivered GSM/EDGE hardware since December 2001. By now Nokia has delivered EDGE capable GSM hardware in volumes to 28 operators in 19 countries. This spring Nokia will have fourteen EDGE trials in all continents. Many other Nokia customers are expected to join to the global EDGE success. Earlier this year Nokia also announced EDGE deals with America Movil in Colombia and in Equador.
Nokia announced last year the world's first triple-band 800/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE terminal, the Nokia 6200. The most recently announced EDGE terminal is the world's first Eurasian triband 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE terminal, the Nokia 6220. Nokia will add EDGE feature progressively throughout most terminal categories and EDGE will be available in all new Nokia GSM/GPRS terminals by end of 2004.
The prompt availability of EDGE phones in several price and performance categories leverages the power of the GSM standard in both economies of scale and in peak data speeds for 3G services.
DTAC is Thailand's leading wireless communications brand, with over 5.5 million customers. DTAC aims to make mobile communications easy, accessible and affordable, under a just and transparent pricing system. Telenor has been DTAC's strategic partner since 2000.
A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region.
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 broadband 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.
Note to Editors:
EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) is a GSM evolution. The first commercial products (like the Nokia 6200) will enable voice and data traffic at a speed of up to 118 Kbps. The maximum data speed of EDGE technology is 473 kbit/s. GSM network evolution to EDGE will enable average 3 times faster GPRS data connection using the existing bands of 800, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz. End users will experience average 3 times faster access to existing services and with faster data rates also the delivery of the new services are enabled via existing GSM frequencies.


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KEYWORD: THAILAND FINLAND INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC EUROPEINDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING HARDWARE SOURCE: Nokia