(April 28, 1999) - Nokia and Hongkong Telecom Mobile Services have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) in Hong Kong SAR. Commercial GPRS services are expected to be available during next year.
GPRS and HSCSD are two dominant and complementary technologies that together turn true high-speed data services into reality. By transmitting data in packet forms, GPRS can efficiently cope with heavy traffic loads, allowing mobile customers to enjoy fast and continuous connections to the Internet while on the move.
The higher bandwidth provided by GPRS makes it possible to offer such services as multimedia messaging, wireless intranet services and remote control and monitoring. HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) allows customers to operate real-time and time-critical applications requiring relatively constant data speeds, such as fast e-mail file transfers and applications using maps and graphics.
"Today's MoU signing demonstrates our commitment to develop enhanced data services to meet customers' changing needs. Third Generation mobile communications will be the era of personal multimedia - we see a tremendous demand for email, video and all kinds of data transmission using mobile devices," said Mr. Ross Cormack, Managing Director, Hongkong Telecom Mobile Services. "Our strong partnership with Nokia enables us to make full use of GPRS to advance the development of our Third Generation capability. The combination of GPRS and HSCD will allow us to launch high-speed mobile data services on our quality dual band GSM network in the near future."
"The Nokia GPRS solution brings total connectivity to mobile phone users," said Mr. Mike Mulvey, Managing Director, Nokia Telecommunications, Nokia (HK) Ltd. "Our partnership with Hongkong Telecom will mean the provision of both the hardware and software required to eventually enable true personal multimedia services. This is a continuation of our long-term relationship, which began in 1983."
Nokia's GPRS solution provides an essential stepping stone to UMTS technology, as third generation GSM will be packet switched. GPRS has a number of advantages when it comes to Internet connection and other packet switched networks, both from network and service evolution viewpoints. Earlier this year, Nokia signed the first GPRS contract in Asia. Nokia is also a market leader in the provision of HSCSD solutions, with more than a dozen customers in Asia and Europe.
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