Omnitel Vodafone and Nokia have signed an agreement for the delivery of the Nokia 3G network solution. Nokia will deliver Omnitel Vodafone's complete 3G mobility core network, including packet switched and circuit switched elements and related support services. In addition Nokia will supply 3G Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment.
The agreement is over three years. The value is approximately EUR 150 million in the initial period of deliveries.
As part of the agreement, Omnitel Vodafone and Nokia will also establish a Service Creation Centre for 3G application development in Milan. This will be complemented by a Technology Centre to test the evolution of 3G technology and equipment.
Deliveries will begin immediately and the commercial launch is expected to take place during second half 2002. It will enable Omnitel Vodafone, which has currently more than 16 million subscribers nationwide, to be among the first to offer subscribers the very latest in future generation mobile services and applications.
"Nokia was chosen as our 3G network supplier because it offers the most advanced, high quality and reliabile technology, and the most competitive economic solution, to enable us to smoothly evolve to future generation networks and stay ahead in the tough Italian market," says Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive Officer, Omnitel Vodafone.
"This cooperation with Nokia is more than just network supply. The 3G Service Creation Centre will enable us to offer innovative services, based on the best technologies available and in line with the expectations of our clients for multimedia services and applications".
"Nokia and Omnitel Vodafone have been working together since 1994 during which time Omnitel Vodafone has become one of the largest mobile operators in Europe," said Giuseppe Donagemma, Omnitel Vodafone Account Director, Nokia.
"This agreement further reinforces Nokia's leading position in 3G. Nokia's complete 3G network solution enables operators to gain a head start in the introduction of mobile Internet networks services with the most advanced solution available."
Nokia's 3G infrastructure is based on open standards, platforms and interfaces, critical for a smooth evolution to commercial 3G services in a multi-vendor network. It includes integrated end-to-end solutions covering charging, security, network management and service control applications.
Nokia already offers a full range of support services and solutions to help network providers differentiate in today's fast-changing business environment and rapidly build out 3G networks.
Omnitel Vodafone is a private wireless operator, offering services to the Italian market since December of 1995. In the year 2000 Omnitel became part of Vodafone, which is the largest wireless telecom group in the world. Omnitel has over 16 million customers, eight operative call centers and more than 2000 point of sales. Omnitel Vodafone has 97% of territorial coverage which equals to 99.4% of the population and also has international roaming in 81 countries. Omnitel web site is www.omnitel.it
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