Sonera anoints GPRS services as "3G" ARFF, ARFF, ARFF!!
"Third generation services refer to the general development of mobile services towards new kinds of
visual, easy-to-use multimedia services that utilize various mobile network technologies, such as GPRS,
UMTS, Java, MMS and XHTML."
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Sonera To Launch 3G Mobile Communications Services In Finland On September 26
Press Release August 30, 2002
The services to be launched by Sonera on September 26 are among the first 3G mobile
communications services. The services will initially operate primarily on the present
mobile communications network (GSM/GPRS) on account of the technological delay and
also on the UMTS network within the coming months. Sonera is at the forefront of
launching 3G services, making roll-out and the transition between technologies as
smooth as possible.
The development of UMTS technology is progressing, but not yet completed. The
services Sonera will launch on September 26, 2002 can be used with the Java enabled
MMS phones available on the market.
“Sonera’s strength has always been its ability to provide its customers with the most
advanced services and the latest technology. In spite of the delay and slower overall
start in UMTS technology deployment globally, we continue to be in the vanguard of the
development of next generation services. The services that we will launch in September
will be the first step, after which we can continue with the development work. These
services represent an important milestone on our way from the second generation of
mobile communications to the third one,” says Anni Vepsäläinen, Executive Vice
President responsible for Sonera’s 3G mobile communications project.
Since January 1, 2002, Sonera’s UMTS network has been operational in limited areas
within the Greater Helsinki area, Tampere, Turku and Oulu. The network opened at the
beginning of this year is the first UMTS network in Europe that covers several towns. A
limited commercial pilot is planned for the first quarter of 2003. Commercial UMTS
mobile communications will be started on Sonera’s network in 2003 as soon as there is
a sufficient number of UMTS enabled terminals available and this is feasible in view of
the maturity of the network technology. Sonera estimates that more extensive UMTS
markets will be opened in the years 2004 and 2005 in Finland.
Third generation services refer to the general development of mobile services towards
new kinds of visual, easy-to-use multimedia services that utilize various mobile
network technologies, such as GPRS, UMTS, Java, MMS and XHTML.
sonera.com.
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Nokia's 3G dual-mode handsets are ready -
"Nothing that we have said about our 3G plans has changed," Nokia spokesman Tapio Hedman said today.
Message 17936005
Meaning, I surmise, Nokia's dual-modes are "real" and "working" ---- presumably on Sonera's Nokia
designed and constructed infrastructure.. there are no possible vendor compatibility issues here...
And so... Sonera will debut "third generation services" over GPRS on the big September gala!
"Commercial UMTS mobile communications will be started on Sonera’s network in 2003 as soon as there
is a sufficient number of UMTS enabled terminals available and this is feasible in view of the maturity of
the network technology."
But Nokia clearly stated that dual-mode 3G handsets were "real" and "working" in MARCH. Nokia
could have produced tens of millions in 6 month's time.
"Sonera estimates that more extensive UMTS markets will be opened in the years 2004 and 2005 in
Finland." |
