Europe : Latvian operator LMT has made the first public WCDMA 3G call in Latvia, using a Nokia test network.

Inset is LMT President Juris Binde who sees the call as a significant milestone...

The demonstration showcased a series of services including streaming, Internet browsing, downloading, and video telephony, at data speeds of up to 380 kilobits/second. Juris Binde, LMT president, performed the call and data applications at LMT premises using the commercially available Nokia 7600 phone.

Nokia has supplied a full WCDMA 3G test network to LMT, including both 3G radio and core network equipment, as well as 3G terminals. The test network and the 3G call demonstrated today enable LMT to completely evaluate the technical advantages of Nokia's 3G technology. The call also accelerates LMT's roadmap to offer Latvia's first commercial WCDMA 3G service by the end of 2004.

"This 3G call is a significant milestone in LMT's deployment of advanced mobile services," says Juris Binde, President, LMT. "We are leading the way with state-of-the-art service in Latvia, and are confident that we are firmly on track to be the first here with commercial 3G service."

"We are very pleased to be a part of this important demonstration," says Jan Lindgren, Vice President, Nokia Networks. "The test network and services Nokia has provided to LMT underlines the readiness of our WCDMA 3G solution for commercial service."

Nokia has been LMT's sole supplier of GSM network equipment since 1992.

LMT is the largest and most experienced mobile communications operator in Latvia. The company operates a nationwide GSM 900/1800 network and is looking forward to implementing commercial 3G services in 2004. LMT leads the market by number of customers, financial indices, network quality and variety of advanced services. LMT was the first telecommunications operator in Eastern Europe to introduce a certified ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System.