E-commerce Over Mobile Devices Becomes Reality

[GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, October 11, 1999] IBM and Nokia today announced a global partnership that will accelerate the growth of the wireless Internet. The companies will work together to develop enterprise WAP solutions to enable customers to immediately begin extending e-business beyond the PC to a variety of mobile devices.

Under the terms of the agreement, IBM will market and distribute the Nokia WAP Server software on its PC servers and license Nokia core WAP technology for integration with other IBM server platforms. WAP is a global standard that allows mobile devices to connect to the Internet.

"If you want to be able to use a mobile phone instead of your PC to access information and services on the Internet, WAP is the key ingredient that will make this possible," said Mark Bregman, general manager of IBM's Pervasive Computing Division. "Combining Nokia's leadership in the wireless space with our expertise in the enterprise, IBM will be able to quickly provide an expanded range of compelling data offerings for the mobile Internet."

"Imagine having the Internet in your pocket - which is incredibly empowering for businesses," said Pertti Lounamaa, vice president, Nokia Wireless Software Solutions. "No longer must people be tethered to a PC to access the Internet. With a WAP enabled mobile device, people will have a simpler, easier and more flexible way to access the Internet," he added.

The partnership between Nokia and IBM further confirms that WAP has become the de-facto world standard for wireless information and services. As a truly global, open standard, WAP will ensure that the Mobile Information Society becomes a reality."

The Nokia WAP Server software will be available on IBM's NetFinity servers running Microsoft Corporation's Windows NT� operating system in 4Q99. In addition, IBM will combine Nokia WAP technology with its Pervasive Computing middleware. These offerings include new technologies IBM is developing for wireless applications such as Trancoding Services (software that takes web data and "translates" it), DB/2 Everywhere, SecureWay Wireless software and MQ Series Everywhere, as well as existing offerings such as WebSphere, Tivoli, and IBM Enterprise Connections. Integration into one solution by IBM Global Services, these offerings will allow IBM customers to quickly and easily extend e-business beyond PC's and the Internet to a variety of mobile devices.

About Nokia

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.

Nokia Wireless Software Solutions, part of the Nokia Internet Communications unit, focuses on the development of WAP technology and mobile solutions and applications for corporations and service providers, as well as mobile software platforms for software developers and system integrators. Internet: www.nokia.com/corporate/wap

About IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM's Pervasive Computing division has responsibility for creating e-business solutions that leverage a new class of connected client devices such as hand held Internet appliances. A key part of the team's mission is furthering the adoption of open industry standards forpervasive computing to help customers easily access and act on information whenever and wherever they may be. IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technology to Internet users through theWorld Wide Web. The IBM home page is located at www.ibm.com.

Contact information:

IBM:
Tara Sexton
Tel.(Int.) + 1 914-766-3366
[email protected]

Nokia:
Corporate Communications
Tel. (Int.) + 358 9 180 7485