(January 12, 1999) - Nokia
is to supply several network operators with end to end solutions compatible with the
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP.) These leading operators will start building and
piloting the new value added based on the WAP.
WAP specifies the access to real-time information, including Internet
content and other advanced telephony services on digital mobile phones and other wireless
terminals. The WAP specification enables solutions from various equipment suppliers work
consistently for end-users on all digital networks. Nokia is currently undertaking
interoperability testing for WAP compatible products.
Nokia currently manufactures a WAP-compatible server, the Nokia Artus
Messaging Platform, which allows access to information available on the World Wide Web
through WAP-compatible GSM phones, as well as current GSM phones with Short Messaging
capability. The first WAP-compatible mobile phones are expected to be launched by several
manufacturers during 1999.
A number of leading operators, are to begin trials for WAP-based
services, using complete Nokia solutions. "WAP is an important milestone that will
make Internet based services more interactive and user friendly for the mobile
customer," says Jonas Wilhelmsson, Senior Business Development Manager, Telia Mobile.
"We are determined to be among the first operators to provide intelligent WAP
services to our subscribers. We already offer advanced value added services based on SMS,
including Unified Messaging and Smart Messaging. With WAP we are taking the next important
step."
"The starting of these trials is a significant development for
WAP," says Pekka Salonoja, Vice President, Wireless Data Server Systems, Nokia.
"For operators, WAP allows a cost-efficient way of providing value-added services.
The standard and our products offer the platform for innovative operators, such as Telia,
to build the excact types of services that their clients wish to use."
Nokia is a founder member of the WAP Forum, which will provide an open
environment for creating Internet services and applications for digital mobile phones and
wireless terminals. Nokia offers a complete wireless data solution for telecommunications,
offering operators the possibility to provide their customers with a range of value-added
services.
The WAP Forum has published a global wireless protocol specification
for all wireless networks that will be contributed to appropriate standards bodies. WAP
enables manufacturers, network operators, content providers and application developers to
offer compatible products and secure services on all digital devices and networks
resulting in greater economies of scale and universal access to information. WAP Forum
membership is open to all industry participants. WAP version 1.0 specification and
membership details are available at http://www.wapforum.org
Nokia is the world's leading mobile phone supplier and a leading
supplier of mobile and fixed telecom networks including related customer services. Nokia
also supplies solutions and products for fixed and wireless datacom, as well as multimedia
terminals and computer monitors. In 1997, net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion (USD 9.8
billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on five European Stock Exchanges and
on the New York Stock Exchange (NOK.A), has sales in 130 countries and employs more than
42,000 people world-wide.