Nokia and Digital Phone Co. Ltd sign agreement valued over USD 85 million to supply GSM1800 network in Thailand

Nokia and Digital Phone Co.Ltd (DPC), one of Thailand's new emerging operators, have signed an agreement worth over USD 85 million for the supply of GSM 1800 equipment. The delivery and implementation will start immediately to cover Bangkok and the Metro area.

Under this agreement, Nokia will supply GSM network infrastructure, including Nokia mobile switching centers, base stations and base station controllers. Nokia will also provide UltraSite base station solution, which answers the increasing demand for higher voice and data traffic in today's mobile networks to move toward the Mobile Information Society. An industry-leading product, Nokia UltraSite can support GSM, High Speed Data, GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA for 3G technologies.

In addition, the Nokia Network Management System and a full range of Nokia Professional Services, covering Project Management, Network Implementation, Emergency Services, Hardware Swap Services and Software Maintenance, will be included.

"The Nokia solution will not only help us to manage our network more effectively, operationally and financially, but allows us to address the rapid growth in the Thai mobile market and demand for high capacity and quality networks," said Vikrom Sripratak, CEO, DPC. " Such benefits from new mobile data technologies is important for our success, and the expansion of our network will enable us to better compete in Thailand's competitive market."

"This deal is a significant step forward in our relationship with DPC and in our market position in Thailand, said Pekka Uusima, Managing Director, Nokia (Thailand), "With Nokia's platform, we can work out reliable future proof solutions for DPC, following the pace of mobile data and value added services. Nokia is delighted to be working closely with DPC in providing new systems that will enable them to enhance the capacity and quality of their network, and offer substantial cost benefits as they continue to develop mobile data and Internet services."

Nokia offers total GSM systems, with everything from digital mobile phones to transmission and switching as well as extensive services and network management solutions for building, efficiently operating and developing these networks. The number of operators to which Nokia supplies GSM technology is now 99 operators in 43 countries. Nokia ranks as the world's largest supplier of GSM 1800 networks and one of the two largest in GSM 900.

Digital Phone Company Limited was awarded the rights and obligation to operate and provide Digital GSM 1800 cellular services from Communication authority of Thailand (CAT) DPC started providing service “Hello 1800” on 1st May 1998 and “Digital GSM 1800” on 1st July 2000. Digital GSM 1800 is the City phone concept that accents its service in Bangkok and vicinity using the DPC network while offering nationwide service on the Worldphone 1800 and Digital GSM 900 network The company is expanding its network as fast as possible concentrating mainly in Bangkok and will be expanding network coverage big city in eastern and western part as well.

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 one of the most broadly held companies in the world with listings on six major exchanges.

Further information:
Nokia Networks, Communications Department
Tel. + 358 9 5113 8193
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com