Vattenfall and Birka Energi to build third-generation mobile telecom network

Vattenfall and Birka Energi to build third-generation mobile telecom network Vattenfall and Birka Energi have decided to jointly market their services for the expansion of the UMTS network for third-generation mobile telephony to the four companies that have been awarded licences. Vattenfall and Birka Energi have decided to jointly market their services for the expansion of the UMTS network for third-generation mobile telephony to the four companies that have been awarded licences. Vattenfall and Birka Energi are in a unique position to establish, connect and maintain base stations alongside their own electricity distribution networks, which would provide broad geographical coverage throughout the country. Birka Energi and Vattenfall with its subsidiary Arrowhead will be able to provide a complete range of services including mast siting, construction, connection to both the optic fibre and electricity networks and comprehensive service agreements. "As every base station has to be connected to an electricity supply, both Vattenfall and Birka Energi will in any case be involved in any UMTS expansion that takes place in our respective network areas," says Lennart Åsander, Director of Vattenfall's New Business unit. "We're not competitors on the network market either, which means that we have an excellent opportunity to offer the UMTS operators the most competitive solutions for setting up the many base stations required." One of the key factors for the joint offer is that the expansion of the UMTS network will probably start in Stockholm. "Here we own the electricity network, masts, district heating tunnels and underground conduits," says Nils Nygren, Corporate Executive Vice President for Group Development at Birka Energi. "This existing infrastructure means that we can offer the quickest and most cost-effective way of setting up operations." The procurement of the new UMTS networks is expected to begin in the near future. From Vattenfall's Press Office, tel: 08-739 50 10. For further information, please contact: Lennart Åsander, Vattenfall AB, telephone: +46-70-539 55 04. Nils Nygren, Birka Energi AB, telephone: +46-8-671 82 29, +46-70-344 51 51. Vattenfall is one of the largest energy companies in Europe, accounting for 25 percent of total electricity sales in the Nordic region. The total electricity generation is 85 TWh. Vattenfall is a leading operator of regional and local distribution networks. About 2.4 millions customers get their energy solutions or other services from Vattenfall. The Group also conducts operations in the areas of heating and natural gas, as well as transmission services and consulting for the energy sector. Vattenfall's biggest customers are energy companies, industrial enterprises, and retail customers in the Nordic region. Vattenfall is also active in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and the Baltic countries. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/02/08/20040817BIT20680/wkr0001.pdf