Nokia launches products for service convergence and network evolution

“There is a wide variety of opportunities today for network operators, from voice to person-to-person multimedia, from entertainment and information services to enterprise applications,” says Simon Beresford-Wylie, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Networks, Nokia. “The Nokia products, services, and solutions we are showcasing at the 3GSM World Congress illustrate our continued commitment to develop the service machinery for the operators of converging networks.” “Convergence between fixed and mobile networks, enabled by multiradio terminals, complementary access technologies and unified core networks, is removing the boundaries between networks and services,” adds Beresford-Wylie. “Nokia’s leadership in radio technologies, combined with innovations in new core networks and a strengthened focus on services, make Nokia an ideal partner to provide end-to-end solutions for operators addressing the emerging opportunities in the mobility market.” At the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, Nokia is launching a number of new products that reinforce its comprehensive portfolio of network solutions. The Nokia Telecommunications Application Server (TAS) is a key part of Nokia’s offering for building a unified core network for fixed-mobile convergence. It is a state-of-the-art SIP application server that makes possible the total convergence of legacy voice and SIP-driven VoIP communications by providing mobile telephony services independent of access. Operators can offer fixed and mobile VoIP end-users the same kind of telephony services as in today’s mobile networks, such as Caller ID and SMS, as well as Intelligent Network features such as Prepaid. A part of the Nokia IMS solution portfolio, the Nokia TAS is built upon the 3GPP Rel 4 compliant Nokia MSC Server system. Its functionality can be added to any existing Nokia MSC Server with a simple upgrade, providing a cost-efficient implementation of VoIP that meets carrier-grade requirements. Deliveries for trials have already started. Nokia is also launching its Dual Transfer Mode (DTM), a 3GPP-specified technology that enables simultaneous voice and data connections in GSM/EDGE networks. DTM opens up new revenue opportunities for GSM/EDGE operators by enabling new applications like video sharing, while enhancing service continuity when operators introduce WCDMA. The Nokia DTM end-to-end solution requires only a simple software upgrade to Nokia GSM/EDGE radio networks. The solution will be available for operator testing in fourth quarter 2005 and commercially available in first quarter 2006. The Nokia Flexi Intelligent Service Node is a new product for helping operators of packet data networks to flexibly introduce and manage new data services for the mobile mass market and thus increase data service usage. It is the industry’s first open, carrier-grade product combining high capacity, service awareness, and integrated GGSN functionality. It allows operators to control service access, charging, quality, and usage in a flexible and intelligent way when delivering advanced packet-based services. It supports a broad choice of charging models suited to a range of user traffic. With service-aware QoS, it gives operators significant OPEX and CAPEX savings through simplified management and optimized network resources. It supports multi-access such as WLAN, Enhanced GPRS (EDGE), WCDMA 3G, and circuit-switched data. The Nokia Flexi ISN is available now. The Nokia Intelligent Content Delivery System release 3 increases the service and subscriber awareness of the Nokia intelligent Packet Core. As part of the release, the Nokia Intelligent Service Configurator (ICS) and Nokia Profile Manager (NPM) are introduced as pre-integrated elements of the ICD system. The Nokia ICS lets operators define, provision, and manage end-user services consisting of multiple service components, while the NPM allows IP services to be activated and charged on a subscription basis, plus it allows both operators and subscribers to create and modify personalized end-user profiles. Nokia Intelligent Content Delivery System release 3 also includes Double Wallet functionality, enabling business customers to charge work-related and personal data service usage to different accounts under the same subscription. The Nokia Intelligent Content Delivery System has already been deployed in 36 networks globally. Release 3 will be available in third quarter 2005. Nokia Push to talk over Cellular (PoC) Solution release 1.5 adds important new features to Nokia’s market-leading push to talk solution. It enables enhancements such as dial-out group calling, which allows users to initiate group calls to temporary groups, as well as MSISDN dialing, which lowers barriers for GSM subscribers by allowing them to use their normal mobile numbers for push to talk. The release also includes interface enhancements to allow the interconnection of PoC services between operators, an important feature as the market moves towards wider adoption of push to talk services. The release is available in second quarter 2005. Nokia Presence Solution 2.0 brings support for SIP, which allows operators to apply Presence to SIP-based applications, such as PoC. This will allow PoC users to see whether another mobile user is available for a PoC call before initiating the call. Release 2.0 will be available in second quarter 2005. Audio messaging is an easy-to-use service based on multimedia messaging that allows consumers to send voice clips over the air. To support the mass-market adoption of this attractive new service, Nokia also introduces at Cannes support for legacy phones within its MMS network solution. The Nokia Multimedia Application Gateway will enable mobile users to send audio messages also to phones that do not support MMS, thereby expanding the market for this new messaging service. Nokia is the only MMS infrastructure provider to offer legacy support specifically designed for audio messaging. The solution is available in second quarter 2005.