Source: Oyj

October 07, 2002 05:00 ET

MegaFon mobile network in area brings exciting multimedia messaging services to consumers with Nokia solution

Nokia is delivering its leading Multimedia Messaging (MMS) solution to ZAO Sonic Duo, which operates in the Moscow area for Russian nationwide mobile network MegaFon. With the Nokia solution MegaFon's customers will be able to enjoy mobile images, sound and text.

Deliveries begin during October 2002 and service is expected to be launched in first quarter 2003.

The deal further enhances Nokia's track record in MMS - among the wireless industry's most extensive. With over 30 customers to date and an ever-growing number of launched systems, Nokia is helping to make multimedia messaging a reality for today's mobile consumers.

"Nokia's vision and ability to provide tailor-made solutions and services proved very attractive to us and we enter this new business segment and move forward toward next-generation services," says Alexey Nichiporenko, General Director, Sonic Duo.

"We are always looking for innovative new services and applications to offer our customers in the Capital and MMS is certain to be a big hit," adds Alexey Nichiporenko.

The Nokia MMS solution gives mobile subscribers the ability enjoy multimedia services such as content access and person-to-person mobile messaging from MMS-capable handset to e-mail, e-mail to MMS handset or between applications and MMS handsets.

The deal comes after Nokia announced on October 1 2002, that it will deliver the Nokia GPRS and MMS solutions to Megafon in the St. Petersburg area.

"MegaFon's customers in the Moscow area will now have the opportunity to share information and send more personalized messages that combine images and sound," explains Denis Malyshev; Senior Account Manager, Nokia, "This agreement with Sonic Duo is further evidence that Nokia is a world leader in MMS and future technologies."

The end-to-end multimedia messaging solution that Nokia will supply includes the Nokia MMS Center, the Nokia Multimedia Terminal Gateway to support non-MMS phones, Personal Album application for long-term message storage, the Nokia WAP Gateway, the Nokia Multimedia Email Gateway and the Nokia Profile Server. Nokia will also provide system implementation, integration and care services to maintain the competitiveness of the MMS solution.

OAO MegaFon is the first Russian nationwide mobile communication operator of GSM 900/1800 standard. Founded in May 2002, as a result of renaming and changing of organizational and legal status of ZAO North- Western GSM and uniting of regional operators of ZAO Sonic Duo (Moscow), ZAO Mobicom-Kavkaz, ZAO Mobicom-Center, ZAO Mobicom-Novosibirsk, ZAO Mobicom-Khabarovsk, ZAO Mobicom-Kirov, OAO MSS- Povolzhye, ZAO Volzhsky GSM and ZAO Uralsky GSM. The Company's major shareholders are OAO Telecominvest, OOO CT-Mobile, Sonera () and Telia (). The license area of OAO MegFon covers 100% of the territory of - 89 regions of the Russian Federation with the population of 147 million. Currently the total number of the Company's customers is exceeding 2 million.

ZAO Sonic Duo is a 100%-owned subsidiary of OAO MegaFon and the operator of the first Russian nationwide MegaFon network in Moscow area. The MegaFon network applies the most advanced technologies, providing subscribers with new opportunities for communication and work with information, and allowing customers using the entire range of traditional and advanced services of mobile communication at optimal cost. ZAO Sonic Duo in cooperation with the leaders of the world market dynamically develops its mobile 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.

Contact information: Global Communications Department, Nokia Networks Tel. + 358 7180 38195 Email [email protected] www.nokia.com

Roman Prokolov, Adviser to General Director, ZАО Sonic Duo. Tel. +7 095 504 5020 Email [email protected]