Nokia AG and Swiss telecommunications firm diAx this week formed a partnership to supply Nokia’s General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network to infrastructure in Switzerland.
GPRS offers packet-switched connections to data networks via mobile technology. It is designed to allow faster and easier Internet access with continuous connectivity, and enables applications including multimedia messaging, wireless corporate intranet, remote control and maintenance of appliances. It is also considered part of the migration to third generation (3G) mobile networks.
The agreement calls for Nokia to deliver its GPRS related base station functionality and the
Internet Protocol (IP) core network infrastructure to diAx, which provides Internet access, mobile phone services and other telecom needs to Swiss customers. The delivery is scheduled to take place this year and the commercial launch is expected during the year 2000.
“GPRS is a key element of the future Mobile Information Society, where
end-users will have the capability to communicate and
securely access the Internet and intranet services, independently of time
or place,” said Carl-Fredrik Lehland, managing director,
Nokia (Schweiz) AG. “Our long relationship with diAx will provide an ideal
opportunity for their subscribers to make the most of the
benefits that mobility and continuous connectivity will bring.”
“We expect the data part of our business to grow strongly over the next
five years. Having packet data capability is absolutely key to
this growth and the installation of Nokia’s GPRS will enable us to be at
the forefront of the development of enhanced data services,”
said Jean-Jacques Vouga, deputy chief operating officer, diAx.