(November 18, 1999) - SMART and Nokia have signed a contract for the supply of Nokia's General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) core network solution and expansion of SMART's dual band GSM network. The agreement also includes delivery of Nokia's Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) platform to Smart.

Under this contract, Nokia will expand SMART's range and quality of GSM services with Nokia's high capacity Mobile Switching Centres (MSCi), Home Location Registers (HLR), Short Message Service Centres, base stations, and a full range of related customer services.

Nokia will deliver its Internet Protocol (IP) core network infrastructure, including the Nokia Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), the Nokia Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) and the Nokia Charging Gateway. With Nokia's GPRS solution, SMART will be able to provide true mobile Internet access to its subscribers - offering enhanced packet switched data through the enhanced GSM network.

This contract also sees the supply of Nokia's Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) platform, which allows Internet services to be accessed through WAP enabled mobile phones.

"The acquisition of these new systems puts SMART at the forefront in providing cutting-edge services to users who are looking for more sophisticated value added services," said Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO, SMART Communications, Inc.

"The Nokia GPRS solution is a key building block in the development of the Mobile Information Society based upon high-speed IP data technology," says Kari Ahola, Senior Vice President, Nokia Networks, Asia Pacific. "GPRS will bring secure, instant packet-switched connections to data networks, such as the Internet, Internet Service Providers and corporate Intranets, all via GSM technology."

SMART Communications, Inc., established in 1991, is a joint venture between First Pacific, NTT and several local investors. SMART is licensed to deliver a national cellular mobile telephone system, international gateway facility, paging and local exchange carrier operations. With its analog and digital networks, SMART is now the largest cellular operator in the Philippines.

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 53 000 people.

Contact information:

Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. (Int.) +358 9 5113 8193,
Fax (Int.)+358 9 5113 8199
www.nokia.com, [email protected]

Ramon Isberto, Head,
Public Affairs,
SMART Communications, Inc
Tel. (Int.) +632 811 0211, Fax (Int.) +632 811 0108