Technology enables GSM or TDMA wireless operators to implement value added messaging services on top of their existing voice telephony

(September 23, 1999) - Nokia unveils the new Nokia Artus Messaging Platform, a comprehensive and robust platform that enables the creation of both Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and value-added messaging services for both GSM and TDMA networks. The Nokia Artus Messaging Platform supports the WAP 1.1 specification, launched earlier this year.

This reinforces Nokia's commitment to develop the mobile Internet and use of WAP-enabled mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), as well as to continue to provide end to end WAP solutions to its customers.

Using WAP, the Nokia Artus Messaging Platform enables the mobile phone user on the move to easily access Internet information, such as headline news, sports results, stock quotes, and on-line travel and banking services. By supporting HTTPS, a secure protocol for fetching Internet content, The Nokia Artus Messaging Platform enables secure access to corporate intranets and other sensitive databases. Mobile operators can offer attractive services and the billing interface enables the collection of a variety of information for different billing schemes, one of which is service-based billing.

The Nokia Artus Messaging Platform for GSM and TDMA functions as a WAP gateway where users are able to access services from WAP-enabled devices through a variety of bearers. By simply clicking on a hyperlink, users get the information they are looking for. Operators, in turn, can easily provision the services by providing a homepage with hyperlinks to the services they are offering.

For those GSM users without a WAP-enabled mobile phone, the Nokia Artuse Messaging Platform for GSM still makes it possible to access Internet services. Nokia Artus Messaging Platform for GSM includes enhanced features and allows users to subscribe to personalized push services. Users simply set triggers that activate the service at a specific time of day or when a certain condition is satisfied. An easy-to-use service creation tool and new functions, such as multi-search, make it easier to develop new services.

"We have purchased the Nokia Artus Messaging Platform in order to soon start providing WAP services. With the Nokia Artus Messaging Platform we will provide our customers with an expandable service environment. We see WAP as an important step forward in mobile information services and it is our goal to be among the first teleoperators to offer WAP-based mobile services," comments Vesa Mars, Director, Telia Mobile Finland.

"With the launch of the WAP-enabled Nokia Artus Messaging Platform, operators will be able to build new revenue streams from value-added messaging services on top of their existing voice telephony," said Pekka Salonoja, Vice President, Wireless Data Server Systems at Nokia. "In addition, it is important to start now with these user-friendly mobile Internet services to educate the market for the coming of more advanced multimedia services."

To enhance the compatibility of WAP based products and services, Nokia is currently undertaking interoperability testing for WAP 1.1 compatible products and services with several manufacturers. Also, a number of leading mobile operators have been piloting new WAP-based value added services, such as Internet and intranet access for GSM mobile phones, using complete Nokia solutions. In co-operation with Nokia and its operator customers, several application developers have created attractive and useful WAP-enabled services and solutions for the trials.

Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its innovative products and solutions. Nokia is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks including related services. It also supplies multimedia terminals and computer displays. In 1998, net sales totaled EUR 13.3 billion (USD 15.7 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 51 000 people.

Contact information:
Communications Department
Nokia Telecommunications
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8193
Fax (Int.) + 358 9 5113 8199