Miles
20-09-2003, 07:40 AM
Further to press comments this morning, Orange SA confirms that non-binding France Telecom / Orange framework agreements have been entered into with Alcatel, Nokia and Nortel Networks to provide the 3G radio access network (RAN) technology infrastructure across the Orange footprint.
These framework agreements, which contain no commitment at this stage, have to be finalised, with terms, amounts and conditions to be negotiated in the coming months.
As stated at the 24 June Orange strategy presentation, the Orange 3G network is well advanced in the UK and France. It is anticipated that full commercial trials of Orange 3G services will begin later this year in the UK, with commercial launch expected around mid-2004. Orange UK expects to offer 3G population coverage of over 40% at UK launch in ten major cities, the major rail routes and airports. In France, Orange has been working for a year and a half, developing the 'Villes Orange', Toulouse and Lille, and building 3G capabilities. By the end of 2004, Orange will have 3G coverage in the ten major cities across France.
Orange and Nokia renewed contracts for the rollout of Orange 3G networks in France and the UK. Nokia has been selected as a supplier to Orange for the rollout of its 3G networks. The agreement reaffirms the two companies' ten-year relationship. Orange chose Nokia after a thorough reevaluation of its previous supply agreements in 3G. As part of this agreement extension, Nokia has signed renewed contracts with Orange affiliates in France and the UK for the supply of its 3G radio network.
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
These framework agreements, which contain no commitment at this stage, have to be finalised, with terms, amounts and conditions to be negotiated in the coming months.
As stated at the 24 June Orange strategy presentation, the Orange 3G network is well advanced in the UK and France. It is anticipated that full commercial trials of Orange 3G services will begin later this year in the UK, with commercial launch expected around mid-2004. Orange UK expects to offer 3G population coverage of over 40% at UK launch in ten major cities, the major rail routes and airports. In France, Orange has been working for a year and a half, developing the 'Villes Orange', Toulouse and Lille, and building 3G capabilities. By the end of 2004, Orange will have 3G coverage in the ten major cities across France.
Orange and Nokia renewed contracts for the rollout of Orange 3G networks in France and the UK. Nokia has been selected as a supplier to Orange for the rollout of its 3G networks. The agreement reaffirms the two companies' ten-year relationship. Orange chose Nokia after a thorough reevaluation of its previous supply agreements in 3G. As part of this agreement extension, Nokia has signed renewed contracts with Orange affiliates in France and the UK for the supply of its 3G radio network.
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.