Nokia to deliver GSM 1800 network expansion to COSMOTE Mobile Communications in Greece

Nokia has signed a EUR140million agreement with COSMOTE Mobile Communications for the expansion of its nationwide GSM 1800 network in Greece.

Deliveries have already begun on a full range of network infrastructure products, including mobile switching centres and Nokia high capacity base stations.

Nokia will also provide the Nokia UltraSite base station solution, which answers the increasing demand for higher voice and data traffic in today's mobile networks and evolution to the Mobile Internet era. An industry-leading product, Nokia UltraSite can support GSM, High Speed Data, GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA for 3G technologies.

The contract also comprises network management modules from the Nokia NetAct™ Framework, including NetAct Monitor, which combines functionalities from the NMS/2000 and Nokia NetAct Reporter (Nokia Network Data Warehouse). Furthermore, a full package of professional services is provided to help maximise Cosmote's operating efficiency and add value to its business case. These services include Project Management, assistance in network planning, Network Implementation, training and network operations support. Implementation is expected to be completed early next year.

This is the latest agreement in the long relationship between Nokia and COSMOTE, a leading Greek mobile telecommunications operator with currently over 2.285 million subscribers, since the operator's service launch in 1998.

"We chose to have the continued addition of Nokia's state-of-the-art equipment in our network, as we expect the rapid growth of not only voice, but data services in the next two years," said Evangelos Martigopoulos, Managing Director, COSMOTE, "COSMOTE is on its way to becoming the leading GSM operator in Greece with the support of quality Nokia products and Professional Services."

“Nokia's leading technology enables COSMOTE to provide comprehensive and high quality network coverage and offer new revenue-generating services," said Goran Ackerot, Managing Director, Nokia Hellas, "This new expansion further strengthens Nokia's relationship with COSMOTE and will prepare it to meet future market demand for subscriber growth and high-capacity mobile services."

In November 2000, Nokia supplied its state-of-the-art General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) solution to COSMOTE, which has already launched commercial GPRS services, enabling fast, always-on Mobile Internet to subscribers, in March 2001.

With the Nokia solution, COSMOTE has in place a complete commercially capable GPRS network. Nokia GPRS system is fully Internet Protocol (IP) compatible and can support Mobile Internet services such as data and video streaming.

COSMOTE started its commercial operation five years later than its competitors with GSM1800 technology compared to GSM900 of the other operators. However, COSMOTE has experienced an impressive growth in its subscriber base, gaining one in every two new subscribers in the Greek market during 2000, and securing the lowest churn rate. High network quality, as well as clear and reasonable tariffs are two of the major reasons of COSMOTE’s success. Now COSMOTE has stepped into second place with about 2.285 million subscribers and a market share of almost 36%. COSMOTE is considered to be the most successful third entrant in the European mobile Market.

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.

Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38195
Email nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com