SFR deploys Nokia MSC Server mobile softswitch in France

Nokia reaches 100th customer milestone for its industry leading mobile softswitch solution

September 14, 2006 -- Espoo, Finland - Nokia and SFR have signed a contract for the turnkey supply of the Nokia MSC Server (MSS) mobile softswitch to enhance the French operator's network coverage and capacity. The network modernization deal upgrades SFR's current circuit switched core network with a Nokia solution that fully enables fixed mobile convergence and the rapid growth of 3G-traffic.The Nokia MSC Server System, including the Nokia Multimedia Gateway, will enable SFR to manage the demands of its growing traffic while reducing its operational expenditure (OPEX). Nokia has now deployed its MSS to over 100 mobile operators worldwide, a strong sign of the success of the mobile softswitch solution initially specified by 3GPP Release 4. Since mid 2005 the MSC Server has accounted for over 75% of Nokia's switching deliveries.

The turnkey nature of the deal with SFR means that Nokia will manage all activities related to network roll-out from adaptation works on site to integration, re-hosting the radio equipment and operating the network. Also included is the multitechnology Nokia NetAct(TM) network and service management solution.

"Nokia's impressive track record and the proof of its ability to deliver extended services, as well as the long-standing, successful relationship between SFR and Nokia made it easy for us to choose Nokia for this ambitious network modernization project," says Paul Corbel, Chief Technical Officer, SFR. "The change of our existing MSCs to Nokia's integrated 2G/3G MSC Server mobile softswitch will enable SFR to now offer a whole suite of innovative services to our customers in the most cost efficient manner and enable convergence."

"We are very happy to be continuing our long-term collaboration with SFR setting the stage for even stronger cooperation in the future," says Roberto Loiola, Vice President, Networks, Nokia. "And we're doubly pleased to be providing SFR the industry's leading mobile softswitch, bringing significant cost savings and a clear evolution next generation networks."

Nokia is creating seamless user experiences in converging networks thanks to mobile softswitching and IMS for fixed and mobile. With over 100 customers for its mobile softswitching and over 50 live networks, Nokia is clearly the most experienced mobile softswitching supplier worldwide.

Nokia is also the front-runner in IMS for fixed and mobile networks, with over 120 references. Nokia's IMS for fixed and mobile has been in commercial use since 2005. With 20 convergence trials, enabling personalized VoIP and multimedia, Nokia is paving the way for the renewal of fixed networks and the usage of access technologies like WLAN.

About SFR
With 17.4 million customers and 8,000 employees, SFR is the second largest mobile telecommunications operator in France and has been the market leader in terms of net sales (new customers) since 2003. Operating its own GSM/GPRS and UMTS/HSDPA networks, SFR is able to provide a complete range of mobile telephony and multimedia services, as well as mobile data solutions to its personal, SOHO and business customers. SFR has become the operator of choice for new uses of mobile phones, having been the first operator to launch 3G and 3G+ services on the French market, and now boasts more than 1.5 million exclusively 3G customers. The company is also a player on the fixed telecommunications market through its 40.8 % interest in neuf cegetel, the leading alternative operator on the French market. SFR benefits from a stable ownership structure, with two major shareholders, Vivendi (56%) and Vodafone (44%).

About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.

Source: Nokia

Cellular One’s State-of-the-Art Network Helps Law Enforcement Capture Most Wanted Fugitive

Multi-Million Dollar Investment Gave Officials a Strong Wireless Signal

September 13, 2006 -- (Warren County, Penn.) – As law enforcement officials cornered a dangerous fugitive last weekend, they turned to Cellular One’s state-of-the-art wireless network for emergency communication. Cellular One provided 20 wireless telephones to the New York State Police. The police used the phones September 8th as they zeroed in on Ralph “Bucky� Phillips – listed on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List – near the New York/Pennsylvania border in Chautauqua/Warren counties.Law enforcement officials requested the use of Cellular One’s service after it was determined the company’s cutting-edge GSM/GPRS/EDGE network was the only wireless service that would work near the police command post.

Cellular One spokesman Craig Davis says continued network enhancements and improvements gave officials a strong wireless signal.

In the last three years, Cellular One has invested more than $3.5 million to strengthen its area network. In just the last year, the company has built New York cell sites in Jamestown, Greenhurst and Ripley, and in Pennsylvania new cell sites are in Warren, Rogerstown and Sugar Grove. Another site in Fredonia is planned later this year, he said.

"The Cellular One staff went above and beyond in quickly providing wireless phones for law enforcement use in this situation,� said Tech Sgt. Vince Gerace of the Chautauqua County Sherriff’s Office. “These wireless phones played a pivotal role in the capture of Ralph “Bucky� Phillips when police radios were ineffective.�

Phillips was captured on September 8.

In addition to voice service, law enforcement officials used Cellular One’s wireless data services to send and receive e-mails and text messages during the ordeal, Gerace said.

"Providing the people of New York and Pennsylvania the strongest network is our number one priority,� said Timothy J. Duffy, Cellular One’s Chief Technical Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering and Network Operations. “We’re pleased our network investment resulted in better communication for law enforcement officials, and we will continue to focus our efforts on delivering the strongest signal possible.�

For more information on the products and services offered by Cellular One, including GSM data services like the wireless Internet, text messaging, camera phones and downloadables, visit www.celloneusa.com .

Source: Cellular One

Verizon Wireless To Enhance Its Business Portfolio With Ingram Micro

Distributor Expands Verizon Wireless’ Service to Small and Medium Businesses

09/14/2006 -- BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and LOS ANGELES, CA — Verizon Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless service provider, announced today it will enhance its business distribution portfolio by expanding the company’s reach to small and medium business customers throughout the United States with Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM), the world's largest technology distributor. On October 16, Ingram Micro will join Verizon Wireless’ Value Added Distributors as a participant in the company’s Business Solutions Program and will offer VZOfficesm voice and data products and services to hundreds of solutions providers that serve small and medium businesses.The addition of Ingram Micro to the company’s Business Solutions Program will be structured around the existing relationships Ingram Micro has with its solution providers. These small and medium size business customers will have more options to access the nation’s most reliable voice network and the company’s BroadbandAccess wireless data service, which runs on its Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network. At the same time, it gives small and medium size businesses another option for implementing Verizon Wireless’ robust line of business-specific wireless voice and data solutions – including best-of-breed, turn-key, packaged vertical applications designed specifically for small and medium size businesses.

“We are very pleased that Ingram Micro will offer Verizon Wireless’ products and services, including our high speed BroadbandAccess service, to help them better meet the needs of their customers who want to increase their mobile productivity,� said Patrick Stokes, vice president of Business Distribution for Verizon Wireless. “We selected Ingram Micro because of their expertise, experience and trusted relationships within the small and medium business segment.�

Ingram Micro will join Verizon Wireless’ three other Value Added Distributors: Global Wireless Data, Mobile DataComm and Trio Teknologies. Value Added Distributors recruit, train, support and provide multiple products and services from various vendors to solutions providers in their network. Solutions providers typically provide a mix of software, hardware and consulting services to help small and medium size businesses solve their information technology needs.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com

About Ingram Micro Inc.
As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics services, technical support, financial services, and product aggregation and distribution. The company serves more than 140 countries and is the only global broadline IT distributor with operations in Asia. Visit www.ingrammicro.com .

Source: Verizon Wireless

Summer record for mobile data, MMS and SMS

09/15/2006 -- The year 2006 was a record year for mobile telephony in Sweden marked by a 400-percent increase in mobile data traffic, a 50-percent rise in MMS traffic and 89 million more SMS messages than in the summer of 2005. Two million of Telia’s mobile customers in Sweden use mobile data services today – twice as many, compared with the preceding year.

“Usage of mobile data services has increased by more than 400 percent in one year and the trend is clear: more and more people are working outside the office. This is illustrated not least by the fact that PC cards now account for 54 percent of all mobile data traffic in Sweden,� says Anders Tillander, head of the Enterprise Market at TeliaSonera Sweden.2.5 million MMS users The number of sent MMS messages usually increases during the summer, and the later they are sent during the day, the more MMS messages are sent. Weekends and holiday periods are the most popular time for using the MMS service. Today, Telia has 2.5 million MMS customers. During the summer of 2006, 9.3 million MMS messages were sent through Telia’s network, an increase of 50 percent.

SMS users are late risers in the summer During the summer, people in Sweden send more SMS messages than at any other time of the year and the summer of 2006 was no exception. As many as 324 million SMS messages were sent through Telia’s network, an increase of 87 million, compared with the same period last year. SMS traffic takes place later during the day during the summer period. During the rest of the year, most SMS messages are sent evenings between 9.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. In June, July and August, the majority of SMS messages are sent one hour later. In addition, the Swedes tend to sleep later in the morning during the summer, which is reflected in the fact that SMS traffic starts up later in the day.

Norway tops the list More than two million SMS messages were sent from Sweden to Norway during June, July and August this year, putting this neighbouring country to Sweden at the top of the list for countries receiving the most Swedish SMS messages. Last on the list is the group of islands Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies, which received two SMS messages from Sweden.

Countries to which the most, and the least, SMS messages were sent from Sweden during June, July and August 2006:

Total no. SMS Total no. SMS

Norway 2176887 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2
Russia 1910675 Nauru 3
United Kingdom 1031396 The Comoros 4
Finland 886187 Cook Islands 4
Denmark 706312 Guam 4
Poland 590772 Kiribati 4
Germany 510059 Niue 4
USA 283173 Sao Tome and Principe 5
Thailand 273486 Vanuatu 5
Lithuania 267031 Guyana 6

Source: TeliaSonera

When Disaster Strikes, Text 2HELP

(Washington, D.C.) — September 14, 2007 — The Wireless Foundation, participating wireless carriers, and the American Red Cross today announced their official partnership to provide Text 2HELP, an initiative which enables wireless customers to text message a monetary donation to the Red Cross to support its relief efforts in the event of a large-scale disaster.

“Americans have a tremendous desire and willingness to pitch in whenever someone needs a helping hand, whether it’s supplying their time or financial support.� said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association® and President of The Wireless Foundation, the charitable organization coordinating Text 2HELP. “This initiative combines advanced wireless technology with the nation’s premier relief organization, to give millions of wireless customers a simple and immediate way of helping others when they need it most.�In the event of a major disaster (such as Hurricanes Katrina or Wilma) the American Red Cross will collaborate with the CTIA to activate the Text 2HELP initiative. At that time, subscribers of participating wireless carriers can send a text message to “2HELP� (24357) containing the word “HELP.� A $5 tax-deductible donation will be made to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts. Donations will appear on customers’ monthly bills or be debited from prepaid account balances.

“The Red Cross is thrilled about our new partnership with the wireless industry to offer a fast and easy way to allow generous Americans to transform their compassion into action following a major disaster,� said Jack McGuire, interim President and CEO for the American Red Cross. “An organization with 125 years of experience must constantly seek ways to engage supporters in new ways and The Wireless Foundation and the wireless industry are helping us do just that.�

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The Wireless Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed by member companies of CTIA-The Wireless Association® in 1991. The Foundation oversees a number of programs designed to put wireless technology to work addressing the challenges of society. www.wirelessfoundation.org

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org

Source: The Wireless Foundation