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Motorola and MTS In First Trial of WAP Services in Russia MOSCOW--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 1999M--Mobile TeleSystems CJSC (MTS), Russia's leading global system for mobile communications (GSM) wireless phone service operator, together with Motorola, Inc. have launched the first trials to deliver the Internet to mobile phone users in Russia. Using WAP-enabled Motorola Timeport P7389 phones, mobile users have been accessing Internet information via major Internet portals such as Yahoo!, SkyGo and AirFlash. The trial relies on the Motorola's open Mobile Internet Exchange� , or MIX� , platform and utilizes WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) which allows Internet content to be viewed on a mobile phone display. The new service will be available commercially to MTS subscribers in early 2000, once the tests are complete and local content is added. "We are proud to offer our strategic customer in Russia a leading edge solution that will allow MTS to offer the Internet to their subscribers yet migrate seamlessly to GPRS and eventually to a third generation solution," said Gene O'Rourke, vice president and general manager EMEA for Motorola Inc.'s Network Solutions Sector. "Not only is the trial the first in this developing mobile phone and Internet market, but it also makes Russia one of the top 10 countries in the world where such trials have been conducted," said O'Rourke. "The WAP trial we are starting as pioneers in Russia and among the first in the world, brings the wireless Internet and access to various databases to MTS subscribers," said Yury Gromakov, vice president of MTS. "Within the GSM framework, WAP can be considered as one of the new services for the existing cellular networks of the second generation. Its implementation, however, will allow the subscribers to make the first step towards services of the third generation networks," said Gromakov. About MTS Mobile TeleSystems CJSC is the leading digital cellular operator in Russia with a subscriber base of 340,000. It operates a dual band (900/1800) GSM network in Moscow as well as GSM networks in other areas of Central Russia, Komi republic and the Urals region. MTS offers national roaming in over 200 cities in Russia and international roaming in over 73 countries. The company has been operating the first GSM network in Russia since 1994. About Motorola Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 billion. MTS has been using Motorola's GSM infrastructure equipment since 1994. Further information: http://www.motorola.com, http://www.mts.ru B, Motorola, Timeport and MIX Mobile Internet Exchange are registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc. All other brands or corporate names are trademarks of their respective owners. Technology Notes GPRS - General Packet Radio Service GPRS, which has been standardised by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) as part of the GSM Phase 2+ development, represents the first implementation of packet switching within GSM, which is essentially a circuit switched technology. Rather than sending a continuous stream of data over a permanent connection, packet switching only utilizes the network when there is data to be sent. The implementation of GPRS will bring tremendous benefits to GSM network operators. It brings Internet Protocol (IP) capability to the GSM network for the first time and enables connection to a wide range of public and private data networks using industry standard data protocols such as TCP/IP and X.25. GPRS is extremely efficient in its use of scarce spectrum resources and enables GSM operators to introduce a wide range of value added services for market differentiation. GPRS is ideal for 'bursty' type data applications such as email or Internet access, and can also enable 'virtual permanent connection' to data sources, allowing information to arrive rather than being sought. This cannot be achieved using standard circuit-switched networks. By upgrading their networks to GPRS, existing GSM operators will have third generation capable networks, as UMTS will use packet switching technology. An early move to GPRS can reduce the eventual investment needed to make the transition to third generation. Motorola is offering a complete GPRS solution - infrastructure and handsets. In partnership with leading European GSM operators such as BT Cellnet in the UK, France Telecom, and Mobilkom Austria, Motorola GPRS systems have enabled the world's first live GPRS calls. Further information: http://horizongprs.motorola.com WAP - Wireless Application Protocol WAP is a technology designed to provide users of mobile terminals with rapid and efficient access to the Internet. WAP is a protocol optimized, not only for use on the narrow band radio channels used by second generation digital wireless systems but also for the limited display capabilities and functionality of the display systems used by today's mobile terminals. WAP integrates telephony services with microbrowsing and enables easy-to-use interactive Internet access from the mobile handset. Typical WAP applications include over-the-air e-commerce transactions, online banking, information provisioning and messaging. WAP will enable operators to develop innovative services to provide differentiation in competitive market environments. CONTACT: Motorola Public Relations |
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©2001 Wireless Application Protocol Forum Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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