ASIA : Finnish network operator Finnet Networks Ltd. has chosen Nokia's EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) system to offer data service that is on average three times faster than GPRS.

Inset is Finnett Managing director Mr Matti Makkonen

The service, currently undergoing public trials, uses Nokia EDGE-capable base stations provided under an agreement signed earlier this year.

Finnet, which operates a GSM/GPRS network for mobile service provider DNA Finland, is working closely with Nokia and the Octopus project, a EU-funded development project, to test new innovative services over the live EDGE network.

With the trials, Finnet is gaining valuable hands-on experience of Nokia's EDGE network and EDGE terminal equipment. DNA benefits by collecting customer feedback on service performance, which will be crucial for faster and smoother nationwide rollout of the new
services over EDGE.

The Nokia equipment was employed as part of the Octopus project, which provides a forum for partners to test and use new mobile services. Nokia, Finnet and DNA are all partners in the project, which is owned and operated by the Finnish city of Oulu.

"EDGE is clearly an interesting alternative for enhancing our customers' mobile data experience, which is why we are evaluating EDGE as part of our future service portfolio," says Riitta Tiuraniemi, Director, Mobile Networks, Finnet Networks Ltd. "Our trial EDGE network is the first public showcase of the attractive data services that our customers will be able to engage in. We are very satisfied with Nokia's system and its support and expertise in trialing services over EDGE."

"We are very pleased to be deeply involved in Finnet's EDGE network," says Jukka Pietarinen, Account Director, Nokia Networks. "We have enjoyed the close cooperation in this project, which enriches and strengthens our long partnership with Finnet. We feel this forms a good foundation for the future cooperation also with WCDMA 3G and service platforms.

The Finnet group consists of 37 local telephone companies, Finnet Ltd and the Finnet Association. The group's turnover in 2002 was 770 million euros, and it employs 5,000 people. Finnet's main market area is Finland.