Blackberry Services Now on Nokia

With the introduction of BlackBerry Connect in the country, Airtel and Research In Motion (RIM) plan to extend BlackBerry wireless services to the Nokia 9300 smartphone, Nokia 9500 Communicator and Sony Ericsson P910i. Airtel’s BlackBerry portfolio will also include BlackBerry 7290 and BlackBerry 7100g

With the introduction of BlackBerry Connect in the country, Airtel and Research In Motion (RIM) plan to extend BlackBerry wireless services to the Nokia 9300 smartphone, Nokia 9500 Communicator and Sony Ericsson P910i. Airtel’s BlackBerry portfolio will also include BlackBerry 7290 and BlackBerry 7100g.

With this move, Airtel intends to offer customers a wider range of BlackBerry-enabled devices to suit their varying needs and preferences. The company also aims to provide IT departments, the added advantage of being able to support multiple-device types with the existing security and infrastructure.

Users of the Nokia 9300 smartphone, Nokia 9500 Communicator and Sony Ericsson P910i will now be able to enjoy features such as push-based BlackBerry e-mail delivery, attachment viewing, wireless e-mail synchronization, as also remote address look-up, policy enforcement, IT commands, Triple DES encryption and Wireless calendar synchronization.

Airtel has made BlackBerry Services available exclusively for its customers, starting at Rs 499 per month. Corporate and SME customers can opt for the unlimited data monthly rental plan of Rs 899 per month. For prosumers, this plan would cost Rs 1099 per month.

The BlackBerry Internet Service will allow smaller businesses and individuals, access of up to 10 e-mail accounts from a single device. For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server software will integrate with IBM Lotus Domino, Novell GroupWise and Microsoft Exchange, and work with existing enterprise systems to facilitate push-based, wireless access to e-mail and other corporate data.

The Nokia 9300 smartphone is available for Rs 29,000, the Nokia 9500
Communicator is priced at Rs 34,500 and the Sony Ericsson P910i is available for Rs 27,995.

Manoj Kohli, president – mobility, Bharti Tele-Ventures, said, "Email continues to be a key communication medium and research indicates that the first application most mobile users like to see integrated into their mobile phones is their email. Emails also have one of the greatest impacts on productivity. A constantly widening group of mobile professionals have already recognized the productivity benefits of BlackBerry. Our announcement today of extending the BlackBerry service to a much wider range of new and stylish mobile phone handsets, allows us to address the needs of a broader target group of mobile users, thereby further catalyzing the adoption and usage of BlackBerry in India."

Chakrapani GK, country manager – enterprise solutions, Nokia India, said, "The availability of BlackBerry services to Nokia’s high-end enterprise devices, marks the convergence of two eagerly anticipated, business focused wireless products. The growth in demand for mobility solutions has substantially expanded over the last couple of years, and by offering BlackBerry on our smartphones, we are offering a truly powerful tool, complete with voice and data solutions, both for business and individual users."

Sudhin Mathur, general manager, Sony Ericsson India, said, "We’re delighted to be adding BlackBerry to the palette of solutions we support with our P910i, thereby further expanding customer choice. The P910i smartphone, which is a multi-faceted device offering productivity, entertainment & communications solutions will now also offer this proven, market leading mobile email & data solution. We are constantly seeking to offer our consumer the very best in usage experience through various innovative means, and this inclusion of BlackBerry is yet another step in that direction."

Source:TechTree

Nokia and Symantec to collaborate in enhancing security for smartphones

Nokia and Symantec Corporation today announced that the two companies have signed an agreement that enables Nokia to provide its Series 60 based smartphones with Symantec Mobile Security. Through this agreement, Nokia will be able to preload their Series 60 and Symbian OS based mobile devices with Symantec’s mobile security solutions, offering increased protection for consumer and business users against mobile malware threats.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE October 5, 2005

Nokia and Symantec to collaborate in enhancing security for smartphones

Cupertino, CA, USA / Espoo, Finland – Nokia and Symantec Corporation today announced that the two companies have signed an agreement that enables Nokia to provide its Series 60 based smartphones with Symantec Mobile Security. Through this agreement, Nokia will be able to preload their Series 60 and Symbian OS based mobile devices with Symantec’s mobile security solutions, offering increased protection for consumer and business users against mobile malware threats.
 
"As the leading mobile device manufacturer, Nokia is determined to be active in the development of security controls and preventive measures against malware. The collaboration with Symantec, the leading security solution provider, is another step in our aim to bring the most advanced security features into Series 60 based devices," says Matti Vänskä, Director, Nokia Technology Platforms.
 
As smartphone purchasing and usage become more prolific Nokia and Symantec want to offer security solutions that will help protect personal information, such as contact databases, stored on smartphones in addition to connected networks.
 
"Mobile devices are changing the way consumers and businesses live and work," said Sarah Hicks, Vice President of mobile and wireless solutions, Symantec Corp.  "As more and more data, including financial and personal details, are being stored on mobile devices, they are increasingly at risk to malware threats. This agreement with Symantec allows Nokia to provide key security features to the Series 60 Platform and Series 60 based smartphones."
 
Symantec has been working with Nokia for more than two years to develop mobile security technology and systems for mobile devices. The new agreement strengthens the existing relationship by enabling Nokia to provide increased protection for the smartphones running the Series 60 Platform. The agreement also will enable the other Series 60 licensees to evaluate and test Symantec’s mobile security solutions for their Series 60 based smartphones.
 
About Symantec Mobile Security
 
Symantec Mobile Security for Symbian OS is an integrated security client that protects smartphones from wireless threats. As mobile phones acquire more computer-like capabilities, they also become more vulnerable to viruses and hackers. Symantec Mobile Security for Symbian OS protects against those risks. The software starts safeguarding a phone as soon as it is installed, automatically turning on virus protection and closing vulnerable ports. Symantec virus protection defends against viruses, worms, and Trojan horses, automatically removing any it finds.
 
The AutoProtect feature runs continuously in the background, watching for malicious code in SMS, EMS, MMS, HTTP, and email files. Users can also manually scan applications and file archives.  Additionally, a built-in firewall blocks suspicious incoming and outgoing connection attempts on the phone’s LAN/WAN connection. Symantec LiveUpdate Wireless technology makes it easy to stay protected against new threats by downloading software and protection updates over the wireless network.
 
 
About Symantec
Symantec is the world leader in providing solutions to help individuals and enterprises assure the security, availability, and integrity of their information.  Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 40 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.
 
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com.
 

Nokia and CTi Movil sign expansion deal for GSM/EDGE networks in Argentina

Nokia and CTi M?vil Argentina have signed a deal for the expansion of GSM/EDGE networks to Argentina, including large investments to all regions of the country. The expansions are to be implemented before end of 2005, and deliveries have already begun.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE October 5, 2005

Nokia and CTi M?vil sign expansion deal for GSM/EDGE networks in Argentina

Project delivers the first Release 4 MSC Server to Argentina, enabling CTI M?vil’s future transition into 3G in one of the fastest growing markets globally.
 
Espoo, Finland – Nokia and CTi M?vil Argentina have signed a deal for the expansion of GSM/EDGE networks to Argentina, including large investments to all regions of the country. The expansions are to be implemented before end of 2005, and deliveries have already begun.
 
In this latest expansion with Nokia, CTi M?vil, part of the Am?rica M?vil group, will increase its GSM/EDGE capacity to serve massive subscriber growth. The expansion will also improve the quality of service, as CTi M?vil has set the highest targets for the standard of quality for its subscribers. CTi M?vil continues its investments into 2006, and Nokia is fully committed to support CTi M?vil in its objective to continue providing the highest quality mobile services in Argentina.
 
In addition to GSM/EDGE radio technology, Nokia is supplying the latest 3GPP Release 4 MSC Server mobile softswitching technology. This is the first Release 4 MSC Server delivery to Argentina, and prepares the CTI M?vil network for the entry of 3G technology. Nokia will also provide a wide range of services, including project management, and implementation, planning and optimization services for fast rollout of the network expansion. Also included are care, hardware and training services, as well as operations support services to keep the solution running at peak performance. The system is supported by the Nokia NetAct(TM), the only fully featured, multi-vendor, multi-technology operations support system on a single platform.
 
The implementation of the most modern switching technology has so far been carried out in the regions of Buenos Aires, Neuquen, Junin, Rosario, San Vicente and Cordoba as the first steps toward rolling out this technology all over Argentina.
 
Nokia remains the main supplier of GSM/EDGE radio network equipment to CTi M?vil Argentina, and also delivers the latest switching technology to CTI M?vil’s networks in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, including also the Nokia MSC Server to Paraguay.
 
"We are delighted to continue our successful cooperation with CTi M?vil in supporting its tremendous investment project into Argentina, one of the most dynamic markets in Latin America," says Fernando Terni, Vice President, Latin America, Networks, Nokia. "This expansion is further evidence of Am?rica M?vil group’s faith in Nokia’s ability to deploy and implement GSM/EDGE equipment of the highest standard."
 
About CTi M?vil
CTi M?vil is the first mobile telephony compamy in Argentina with nationwide coverage. The company is a 100% subsidy of Am?rica M?vil S.A, the main supplier of wireless services in Latin America with operations in various countries of the American continent and more than 61 million subscribers.
 
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.
 

Nokia to trial Fixed Mobile Convergence solutions with Telemar Oi in Brazil

Nokia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazilian telecommunications giant Telemar Oi to begin trials of Nokia’s Fixed Mobile Convergence solutions. The Nokia Fixed Mobile Convergence solutions can leverage Telemar’s current fixed network to create a converged packet based domain for fixed and mobile services. Telemar operates the largest fixed network in South America, with around 15 million subscribers, as well as the Oi branded mobile network, which currently caters to around 8 million subscribers.

Nokia to trial Fixed Mobile Convergence solutions with Telemar Oi in Brazil

Espoo, Finland – Nokia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazilian telecommunications giant Telemar Oi to begin trials of Nokia’s Fixed Mobile Convergence solutions.  The Nokia Fixed Mobile Convergence solutions can leverage Telemar’s current fixed network to create a converged packet based domain for fixed and mobile services.  Telemar operates the largest fixed network in South America, with around 15 million subscribers, as well as the Oi branded mobile network, which currently caters to around 8 million subscribers.
 
The trial employs a comprehensive Nokia end-to-end solution for unified core and converged access networks, as well as Nokia terminals providing multimedia and VoIP services for both mobile and fixed customers.  The Nokia unified core includes the Nokia IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), for voice calls and multimedia services, the Nokia VoIP Server, and the Nokia MSC Server System (MSS).  The agreement also includes testing of the Nokia Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) solution for extending the potential of fixed broadband networks. 
 
"At Telemar Oi, we have been a pioneer in GSM in Brazil and have already successfully launched integrated service packages for our fixed and mobile residential customers," says Alberto Blanco, marketing director of Telemar Group.  "This convergence trial is a natural extension of that and is an important part in our vision for the future in driving growth in our businesses."
 
"We are delighted to be working with Telemar Oi on this end-to-end convergence trial to address emerging opportunities for combining fixed and mobile services in Brazil," says Olli Oittinen, Vice President, Networks, Nokia.  "Nokia is trialing its converged solutions with many leading operators worldwide, providing powerful solutions for consumer and corporate, fixed and mobile networks, in what is shaping up to be a new chapter in this industry."
 
The Nokia IMS solution provides the service machinery for enriching communications in converging fixed and mobile networks.  It enables SIP-based multimedia services, such as video sharing and push to talk, in addition to voice services for fixed, cellular and multiradio terminals, as well as for PCs.
 
The Nokia VoIP Server, a key part of the Nokia IMS solution, supports the convergence of legacy voice and VoIP communications by allowing Telemar Oi to offer mobile telephony services, such as Caller ID and SMS, to VoIP customers.
 
The Nokia MSC Server, the world leading 3GPP Release 4 based voice solution, is currently deployed in Telemar Oi’s commercial mobile network, as part of an earlier contract.  Nokia has been the main GSM network supplier to Oi since 2001. 
 
About Telemar Group
The Telemar Group is the biggest private company in the country.  It’s focused on the offering of integrated solutions; Telemar offers local calling services, long distance, wireless, data communication, a helpline and the Internet.
 
The company holds the concession to operate the local fixed telecommunication network and the authority to offers wireless services with Oi in Region I, which includes 16 northern, northeastern and southeastern states.
 
Besides this, the company acts in all national territory and provides data communication and long distance services since June 2002, when it anticipated the universal standards and received authorization to act throughout Brazil with code 31, which was launched regionally in 1999.
 
The Telemar Group has established a single brand in Internet and mobile segments with its own ISP Oi Internet, launched in February 2005.
 
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com.

Airtel to invest Rs 400 Cr in Karnataka

Airtel, a leading mobile services provider in the country, would invest Rs 400 crores during the year 2005-06 as part of its expansion plan in Karnataka, Company Executive Director (Southern Region-Mobility) Atul Bindal said today

Bangalore: Airtel, a leading mobile services provider in the country, would invest Rs 400 crores during the year 2005-06 as part of its expansion plan in Karnataka, Company Executive Director (Southern Region-Mobility) Atul Bindal said today.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that with 1.5 million customers in the state, Karnataka was the second largest Circle in Bharti Televentures’ network which is playing a pioneering role in increasing mobile penetration in the country.

Mr Bindal said that with the projected expansion plan, the company by end of the year planning to reach out to approximately 45 per cent of the population in the state with a robust network that will span about 730 towns. It was intended to set up 600 additional cell sites across the state taking the total number to 1800 to ensure better reach than competitors.

The idea was to expand mobile network in rural areas and drive segmented applications and value added services in urban and semi urban markets, he said and added that the Company see lot of potential for development in Northern Districts like Gulbarga and Hubli.

Bharati Televentures COO Deepak Mehrotra said that the Company has adopted a three prong strategy–innovation, quality and outsourcing, to achieve its planned development. Bharati has recently signed agreements to outsource its call center operations to some of the best international BPOs. The agreement with Hinduja TMT, IBM Daksh, Mphasis and TeleTech services would enhance quality of customer service delivery to its customers across the country, he added.

Mr Mehrotra said that Airtel has moved towards setting up of a Future Factory in Bangalore fully dedicated to explore innovation and development of path-breaking applications for mobile customers across the country. Customers in cities like Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai were looking towards mobile commerce and the Future Factory here would take up development of drive applications that use mobile phone as a payment instrument for ticketing, money transfer and other commerce transactions.

He said under rural programme the company would focus on developing applications to make mobile telephone more relevant to the segment.

Be Very Careful About Nokia Phones Lying Around

Next time you hold a sensitive meeting, you might want to see if anybody around you has a Nokia telephone. And don’t be so sure the phone is turned off.

Next time you hold a sensitive meeting, you might want to see if anybody around you has a Nokia telephone. And don’t be so sure the phone is turned off.

AGLAYA, a small Indian company is offer for just $250 software that can convert any Nokia 6600 model telephone into a spyphone.

"When someone calls the phone, it rings and operates as a normal telephone but when the phone is called using the pre-defined number, it automatically answers without any ringing, lights, change in the phones screen display or creating logs," the company’s website brags, adding "The phone works like a normal mobile phone and so shows nothing suspicious or unusual to the user."

AGLAYA says "you can access the phone from anywhere in the world with no range limitations, just dial in and listen."

The solution to all this? Ban telephones – or at least take out the batteries – that is if you can find them.

 Via [Spero Forum Weblog]

Nokia announces a VoIP server

Nokia has announced a VoIP server designed for fixed and mobile operators to offer VoIP and other services, such as caller ID and SMS text messaging.

Nokia has announced a VoIP server designed for fixed and mobile operators to offer VoIP and other services, such as caller ID and SMS text messaging.

The VoIP server is compliant with the standardization work done by 3GPP and ETSI TISPAN, which means operators can converge legacy voice and SIP-driven VoIP.

The VoIP server can be implemented as a stand-alone device in fixed networks or it can be deployed as an application server within the IMS framework.

The Nokia VoIP Server currently is being trialed by "a number of key operators," according to the company, and will be available for deployment in the first half of 2006.

Top photographers spearhead Nokia Nseries See New Competition

Internationally renowned photographer, Juergen Teller; leading American photographer, Philip-Lorca DiCorcia; award winning London-based photographer, Nick Waplington; Raghu Rai, one of India’s most respected documentary photographers and Jiancheng Dong, a prominent landscape and documentary photographer from China are heading up the Nokia Nseries See New Competition which is launched today.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE October 4, 2005

Top photographers spearhead Nokia Nseries See New Competition

Five of the world’s best photographers to lead the most ambitious mobile photography competition ever undertaken
 
Espoo, Finland – Internationally renowned photographer, Juergen Teller; leading American photographer, Philip-Lorca DiCorcia; award winning London-based photographer, Nick Waplington; Raghu Rai, one of India’s most respected documentary photographers and Jiancheng Dong, a prominent landscape and documentary photographer from China are heading up the Nokia Nseries See New Competition which is launched today.
 
The competition lays down the challenge to aspiring photographers around the world to ‘shoot new’ – capturing something from a different angle or something never previously photographed – using a megapixel camera phone. To inspire people to enter, the stellar line-up of professional photographers have themselves been shooting new using the Nokia N90 advanced imaging device. More than 60 brand new images from these photographers can be viewed at www.seenew.com, Nokia Nseries’ online community for mobile photography enthusiasts.
 
And the five photographers aren’t just inspiring entrants with their images, they’ll also be judging entries and offering a money can’t buy prize: the chance to spend a day with them assisting on photoshoot.
 
"After pioneering the concept of mobile photography, we’re now pioneering an exciting new photography challenge," said Pekka Rantala, Senior Vice President, Multimedia Marketing, Nokia. "The See New Competition is designed to encourage people to explore the possibilities of camera phone photography and uncover new photography talent from around the world. It’s a unique competition both in terms of the caliber of professional photographers involved and by its global scale."
 
Commenting, Nick Waplington said: "Photography as a medium has developed to the point where it’s around us, in all manners, at all times. Camera phones have played a big part in this, pushing the boundaries of when and how so there are many more opportunities to shoot new."
 
The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 with a megapixel camera phone. Deadline for entries is 16 December 2005. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.seenew.com.
 
The Nokia N90 is the flagship camera product in the Nokia Nseries range of high performance multimedia devices. Packed with advanced camera features to capture great quality photos, the Nokia N90 is the first mobile device in the world to feature superior Carl Zeiss optics plus there’s a two megapixel camera with autofocus and 20x digital zoom, integrated flash, macro mode for sharp close-ups and high quality video capture with on-device editing capabilities.
 
 
About Nokia Nseries
Nokia Nseries is a range of high performance multimedia devices that delivers unparalleled mobile multimedia experiences by combining the latest technologies with stylish design and ease of use. With Nokia Nseries products, consumers can use a single device to enjoy entertainment, access information and to capture and share pictures and videos, whenever and wherever they want.
 
 
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com

Super Series to be live on mobiles

More than 30 million cell phone users in the country can watch the Johnnie Walker Super series cricket live when the tournament starts on October 5

New Delhi, Oct 4.(PTI): More than 30 million cell phone users in the country can watch the Johnnie Walker Super series cricket live when the tournament starts on October 5.

Reliance, BSNL, IDEA, Aircel, Tata Indicom, BPL, Spice, MTNL subscribers can watch the cricket series on their GPRS-enabled cell phones thanks to IMImobiles.

ICC has given the rights to three service providers in India — Airtel, Hutch and IMImobile.

Read more  

Nokia mobilizes fixed operators with convergence solutions at Broadband World Forum

At Broadband World Forum 2005 in Madrid, Nokia reinforces its leadership in the convergence of fixed and mobile networks with a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for operators and service providers, including the Nokia VoIP Server for IP-based voice service

Nokia mobilizes fixed operators with convergence solutions at Broadband World Forum 2005

Introducing the Nokia VoIP Server to provide IP voice service in fixed and mobile networks.
 
Espoo, Finland – At Broadband World Forum 2005 in Madrid, Nokia reinforces its leadership in the convergence of fixed and mobile networks with a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for operators and service providers, including the Nokia VoIP Server for IP-based voice service. 
 
The Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution that Nokia is showcasing in Madrid offers fixed, mobile and hybrid operators a smooth evolution from today’s networks to the next-generation networks of tomorrow.  The end-to-end Nokia FMC solution enables wireline operators to offer new services and connectivity within the fixed network domain.  It gives subscribers the means to enjoy the same service experience independent of access, such as fixed networks, DSL, cellular or WLAN and UMA.  
 
As a further enhancement to this strong offering, the Nokia VoIP Server widens the Nokia Unified Core Network portfolio of solutions with a carrier-grade, standards-based solution for providing voice over IP services in converged networks.  The Nokia VoIP Server is currently being trialled by a number of key operators and will be available for volume deployments in the first half 2006. 
 
"Service providers in this changing business environment are looking for ways to increase revenue and efficiency, reduce customer churn and create a strong market position," says Jussi Ilmarinen, Director, Convergence Marketing & Sales, Networks, Nokia.  "The ubiquitous uptake of broadband services is opening new opportunities for the use of VoIP.  Fixed operators can leverage their competitive advantage by rolling out VoIP on top of broadband, while adding mobility to differentiate their offering.  They can also modernize their networks with a solution that provides a smooth evolution path to multimedia services."
 
"At the same time, mobile operators can implement VoIP and thereby transform their existing network and voice services into a unified offering across mobile and broadband domains," he adds  "Nokia’s Fixed-Mobile Convergence solution, including the Nokia VoIP Server, is an ideal way for operators to make the most of these emerging opportunities." 
 
The Nokia VoIP Server is compliant with the standardization work done by 3GPP and ETSI TISPAN. This enables convergence of legacy voice and SIP-driven VoIP, independent of access.  With the Nokia VoIP Server, fixed and mobile operators can offer VoIP to their customers with supplementary services such as Caller ID and SMS text messaging. 
 
The Nokia VoIP Server can be implemented as a stand-alone solution in fixed networks as a first step toward convergence.  Alternatively, it can also be deployed as an application server within the IMS framework.   The Nokia VoIP Server fully complements the Nokia IMS solution, which enables SIP-based multimedia services, such as video sharing, in addition to voice services and a unified communications experience using both wireless and wireline packet access networks. 
 
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com.

T-Mobile Hungary launches push to talk over GSM and 3G with Nokia solution

T-Mobile has commercially launched Hungary’s first push to talk service, using a Nokia solution. The service is available in T-Mobile Hungary’s 2G and 3G networks.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE October 3, 2005

T-Mobile Hungary launches push to talk over GSM and 3G with Nokia solution

Espoo, Finland – T-Mobile has commercially launched Hungary’s first push to talk service, using a Nokia solution. The service is available in T-Mobile Hungary’s 2G and 3G networks.
 
With push to talk, people can use their mobile phones like walkie-talkies, communicating with a selected group or with individuals at the push of a button. Both business and private users can benefit from this simple, direct communication. Push to talk is especially suited for cases where users need to communicate occasionally but repeatedly with the same group or individual.
 
"We are pleased that T-Mobile Hungary has selected Nokia as the provider of its push to talk service," said Robin Lindahl, Vice President, Nokia Networks. "In providing the Nokia Push to talk solution to T-Mobile Hungary, we are showing our commitment to introducing new services over 3G as well as GSM, and strengthening our position as a leader in push to talk worldwide."
 
The deal is part of an international frame agreement, signed in 2004, under which T-Mobile International, one of the leading mobile communication operators worldwide, has chosen the Nokia Push to talk over Cellular (PoC) network solution.
 
Nokia’s end-to-end push to talk solution offers a full feature set, and it will be compliant with the upcoming OMA standard. Nokia’s solution is compatible with the IP multimedia subsystem as standardized in 3GPP, and it will be capable of supporting various push-to-media, such as video.  With 39 commercial contracts with GSM operators, and more than 30 operator trials ongoing, Nokia is leading the market for Push to talk over Cellular in GSM.  
 
About T-Mobile Hungary
T-Mobile Hungary Telecommunication Company Ltd. – as a market leader with its 4 million subscribers – provides quality GSM services at frequencies 900 and 1800 MHz throughout Hungary. The company won a 15-year UMTS licence granted by the National Communications Authority. The company was the first in Hungary to launch commercial 3G services, such as video-phoning. T-Mobile Hungary offers unique and leading-edge solutions for its subscribers, as the leading provider in the field of innovation. The company is committed towards multimedia, which was shown on 18 April 2002, when T-Mobile Hungary was the first GSM operator in the world to launch overall commercial MMS services. The company was also the first to enable Mobile Banking in Europe; and WAP, GPRS and Mobile Office in Hungary. T-Mobile Hungary is a member of Magyar Telekom Group.
 
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com

Memory Stick Micro (M2) format

SanDisk and Sony announce the Memory Stick Micro format to address the high storage and smaller size form factor requirements of enhanced multimedia mobile phones

Sunnyvale, CA — SanDisk and Sony Corporation today announced the development of the "Memory Stick Micro" format, an ultra-small IC recording media designed to meet the growing storage needs of highly compact, multifunctional mobile phones. Licensing for the development of "Memory Stick Micro" compatible hardware will begin October 3, 2005.

"Memory Stick Micro" media is approximately one-quarter the size of "Memory Stick PRO Duo" media, yet only about 1.2 mm thick. The media’s edges are slotted lengthwise to allow for more slim-line designed connectors to reduce space in host devices. As dual-voltage media, Memory Stick Micro supports devices operating at 3.3 volts and 1.8 volts.

Memory Stick Micro is designed as an externally removable media with a controlled eject function to prevent users losing the media. Users will be able to insert Memory Stick Micro into an adapter for exchanging data to a Memory Stick PRO compatible product.

Dr. Eli Harari, president and chief executive officer of SanDisk Corporation, said, "Sony and SanDisk recognize the rapidly growing market opportunity for memory cards with multimedia mobile phones, and are joining forces to develop the ultra-small Memory Stick Micro format to foster development of extremely compact multimedia mobile phones."

Akira Kubota, President of Micro Systems Network Company, Sony Corporation, said, "Sony’s collaboration with SanDisk Corporation has continued to develop since our initial announcement of the joint Memory Stick PRO format development in 2003. Today’s joint announcement of the Memory Stick Micro format provides a new, versatile IC recording media for mobile products such as mobile phones for sharing entertainment and data."

The Memory Stick Micro media will be made available in the first half of 2006.

Airtel records over 75,000 customers in NE

eading mobile service provider Airtel has more than 75,000 customers today in Assam and North east, a company spokesman said.

Guwahati: Leading mobile service provider Airtel has more than 75,000 customers today in Assam and North east, a company spokesman said.

Airtel now connects all the important towns in Assam on its state-of-art Ero network and is being managed by Ericsson.

The towns covered included Tezpur, Nagaon, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Duliajan, Sivsagar, Barpeta town, Barpeta Road, Nalbari, Rangiya and Bongaigaon.

Airtel is also spreading its network to connect highways and key rail routes as well as the smaller towns along the highways, the spokesman said.

"We are committed to provide our customers unparalleled service experience on a congestion free network," the spokesman said in a release here today

Nokia N70 starts shipping

Finnish handset maker Nokia has started deliveries of the Nokia N70, a 3G smart-phone. Incorporating a smart-phone feature set, a 2 mega-pixel camera, flash and front camera for video calling, the Nokia N70 comes equipped with a digital music player and stereo audio.

Finnish handset maker Nokia has started deliveries of the Nokia N70, a 3G smart-phone. Incorporating a smart-phone feature set, a 2 mega-pixel camera, flash and front camera for video calling, the Nokia N70 comes equipped with a digital music player and stereo audio.

The camera incorporates an integrated flash, 20x digital zoom capability and capture scene settings. The photos or video clips can be shared via e-mail or Bluetooth wireless technology.

With the Nokia XpressTransfer storing solution, photos and video clips on the Nokia N70 can either be manually or automatically copied to compatible PCs. The standard Nokia N70 sales package includes Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition 3.0 software.

The smart-phone features of the Nokia N70 include e-mail attachment support, internet browser, video streaming and 3G features, such as two-way video calling and video sharing. An embedded e-mail configuration tool helps users to set up their preferred mobile e-mail settings. The Nokia N70 supports Symantec Mobile Security, an integrated anti-virus and firewall solution.

Equipped with a digital music player and FM radio with support for Visual Radio, the Nokia N70 also doubles as a music device.