NT does first nationwide GPRS network in Austria. This should be a plus for NT in seeking other European wireless contracts. - peggylynn
August 9, 2000
mobilkom austria Launches Wireless Data Using Nortel Networks Solution
World's First Nationwide GPRS Network Gives Austrians Leading Edge Services
PARIS - mobilkom austria, Austria's leading mobile operator, has launched its wireless packet data service using a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) core network infrastructure solution from Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSE: NT].
Working through its local distributor, Austria Telecommunication GmbH, Nortel Networks has supplied and installed a GPRS core network, enabling mobilkom austria to provide its GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) subscribers with high-speed wireless data services including Wireless Internet.
"With GPRS, wireless is moving one step further from a predominantly voice usage to a mobile Internet appliance," said Boris Nemsic, chief executive officer, mobilkom austria. "mobilkom austria has again demonstrated its technology leadership through the deployment of the first nationwide GPRS network in the world. With our GPRS launch, we are clearly in a leading position and we have been to able set new standards throughout Europe."
The Nortel Networks GPRS core network for mobilkom austria is also the first in commercial service to support interoperability with radio base station equipment from multiple suppliers. This gives mobilkom austria the flexibility to 'mix-and-match' radios to meet its unique capacity and coverage requirements in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
"Nortel Networks is driving the evolution of a profitable, high-performance Internet," said Lloyd Carney, president, Wireless Internet, Nortel Networks. "As a major infrastructure supplier for mobilkom austria, we are making it possible for them to deliver Wireless Internet services to their customers today."
Nortel Networks has supplied GPRS solutions to more than 20 wireless operators worldwide, including mobilkom austria, One2One (UK), TAL (Iceland) and ESAT Digifone (Ireland).
A leading edge solution from the network provider at the heart of the Internet, the Nortel Networks GPRS solution can enable operators to offer full ISP (Internet Service Provider) capabilities, supporting applications such as secure mobile Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and mobile eBusiness. GPRS is a next generation communications platform which overlays a GSM wireless network to give subscribers high-speed wireless data access. Based on packet technology, it allows 'always on' connections to mobile phones, handheld computers and other subscriber mobile devices.
The Nortel Networks GPRS core network solution is based on the widely deployed Nortel Networks Passport* and Contivity* Extranet switches, each with a rich, proven heritage for providing packet data services. Nortel Networks complete GPRS offering also includes Nortel Networks' Preside* suite of world class, carrier-grade network, policy and service management solutions, which enables wireless operators to implement high-quality, high-capacity data services quickly and cost-effectively. |
