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Nokia 6280 is now shipping across Europe

Now shipping in European markets, the Nokia 6280 will sell at an estimated retail price of 375 EURO before subsidies or taxes.

Infosync World reports that Nokia has begun shipping across Europe

A highlight of the 6280 is its integration of dual camera, which was previously only available in the Nokia 6680 smartphone. A back-mounted 2 Megapixel camera is used in conjunction with a front-mounted 0.3 MP camera to allow for rapid switching between views, with the 6280 also offering in-call initiation of video sharing should users want to start sharing video mid-call. Also, the 6280 offers a full-screen landscape mode for use when shooting stills or recording video, as well as a LED flash with a range of up to 1.5 meters.

Offering up to 74 MB of user available memory, the 6280 includes the full compliment of Nokia’s messaging and presence functionality with support for SMS, MMS and presence enhanced instant messaging, as well as an e-mail client supporting POP3/IMAP4/SMTP protocols. Additionally, the 6280 also offers Nokia’s Xpress audio messaging as well as support for Push-To-Talk, and further on the note of audio integrates a stereo FM radio with support for Visual Radio and also a music player with stereo audio.

For shorter range connectivity, the Nokia 6280 integrates Bluetooth, Infrared and also USB 2.0 via Nokia’s proprietary Pop-port interface, all of which enable synchronization with the Nokia PC Suite.

Measuring in at 115 g and 100 x 46 x 21 mm, the 6280 offers a claimed talk time of up to 3 hours and up to 250 hours when on GSM; up to 2.5 hours and up 200 hours, respectively, when on WCDMA.

Now shipping in European markets, the Nokia 6280 will sell at an estimated retail price of ?375 EUR before subsidies or taxes.

via [infosyncworld]

Nokia supplies its mobile softswitch to Hutchison 3G Austria

Hutchison 3G Austria has selected Nokia to supply its mobile softswitch solution for optimizing Hutchison 3G Austria’s mobile network

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 22, 2005

Nokia supplies its mobile softswitch to Hutchison 3G Austria

Espoo, Finland – Hutchison 3G Austria has selected Nokia to supply its mobile softswitch solution for optimizing Hutchison 3G Austria’s mobile network. The 3GPP Release 4 architecture of the Nokia MSC Server System will allow Hutchison 3G Austria to gain significant cost savings in the operation of its WCDMA 3G network and will enable the operator to continue to offer the most advanced mobile multimedia services to its customers. Deliveries have started, with the target of having the system operational by the end of the year.

Nokia also provides a wide range of services, including project management, installation, integration, commissioning and care services. The system continues to be supported by the multitechnology Nokia NetAct(TM) solution.

“We are confident that Nokia’s cost-efficient MSC Server System keeps us ahead in the competition,” said Jan Trionow, Chief Technology Officer, Hutchison 3G Austria. “The Nokia MSC Server allows us to continue offering advanced 3G voice and mobile multimedia services to our customers, while offering a smooth migration path to All-IP in the future.”

“We are pleased to introduce the Nokia MSC Server solution into Hutchison 3G Austria’s network,” said Jorg Erlemeier, General Manager, Networks, Nokia. “The Nokia MSC Server System is a market-leading solution, offering Hutchison 3G Austria cost and operational efficiency.”

Nokia continues as the sole supplier for Hutchison 3G Austria’s core network.

Nokia leads the 3GPP Release 4 mobile softswitch market with over 70 customers for the Nokia MSC Server, over 20 of which are already in live commercial use.

Airtel and Bird to laucnh 1399 prepaid offer

Bird mobiles a chinese mobile maker and india’s Airtel have partnered to offer a bundled handset and connection for just 1399 rupees

Bird Phones, the Chinese cell phone company, has entered into a ‘bundling’ pact with Airtel under which a connection and handset is being provided for just Rs1399 but with a lock-in-period.

Adarsh Shastri, Director, Marketing, Bird Phones, said, “We shall be offering a handset for just Rs1399 along with a pre-paid connection of Airtel which also includes Rs600 worth free talk-time to be spread over six months. The scheme involves huge subsidy which is being shared by both parties.”

The scheme was launched in first week of November in six circles and the company sold 65,000 handsets in first 20 days, Shastri claimed.

“Our target is to supply five lakh handsets till end of current fiscal,” he added.

The same model of handset is being sold at Rs3,000 in the open market. The bundled (handset plus Airtel pre-paid connection) scheme comes with a 8-month lock-in-period whereby the consumer is barred from using the same handset for another connection.

Currently, the scheme is available in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar, he said adding the company was planning to cover all India soon.

Nokia 6680 smartphone now starts shipping to Vodafone K.K. in Japan

okia today announced that it has started deliveries of Nokia 6680 to Vodafone K.K. in Japan. The stylish Nokia 6680 3G WCDMA terminal will be marketed in Vodafone’s lineup under the name “Vodafone 702NK II (Nokia 6680)”.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 16, 2005

Nokia 6680 smartphone now starts shipping to Vodafone K.K. in Japan

Tokyo, Japan – Nokia today announced that it has started deliveries of Nokia 6680 to Vodafone K.K. in Japan. The stylish Nokia 6680 3G WCDMA terminal will be marketed in Vodafone’s lineup under the name “Vodafone 702NK II (Nokia 6680)”. This device is expected to be commercially available in Japan from December 17.

“We are extremely pleased with Vodafone’s decision to offer the Nokia 6680 to Japanese consumers,” said Heikki Tenhunen, President of Nokia Japan. “Rated as the best-in-class WCDMA device by research company Strategic Analytics and praised by a large number of consumers, the Nokia 6680 imaging smartphone delivers what it takes to be an ideal multimedia companion both at work and play.”

The Nokia 6680 is optimized for video calls with its two integrated cameras. The multimedia functions of the product are further enhanced by functions like digital music player, and the Nokia 6680 also has smartphone capabilities and productivity features for the busy tech-savvy consumer who wants to manage effectively his personal and professional life.

The Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II), specially customized for Vodafone K.K., delivers highly sophisticated 3G functionality in an attractively styled, compact form. One of the few products in the WCDMA market with truly international roaming capability, the Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) allows consumers to enjoy various 3G services provided by Vodafone K.K., including the Vodafone live!, international roaming video calls and video streaming services in or outside of Japan.

The full-fledged smartphone feature set of the Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) is enriched by robust data communication functions including WCDMA and Bluetooth wireless technology, which makes it fast and convenient to browse the Internet, send and receive emails with attachments, and link with other electronic devices such as PCs. These features make the Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) a first-class tool for conducting business, whether in the office or out and about.

The Nokia 6680 is the third Nokia 3G product available in Vodafone K.K.’s device lineup. The Nokia 6630 (Vodafone 702NK) was added to the Vodafone K.K. portfolio in December 2004, and the Nokia 6650 (V-NM701) became available in the Japanese market in August 2003.

Detailed information about Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) and its services can be found from Vodafone’s website www.vodafone.jp.

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

India Can Wait; Airtel To Launch 3G Services In Seychelles Soon

India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles.

India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles. Telecom Seychelles Limited, owned by Bharti Tele-Ventures, has been providing mobile and basic telephone services in Seychelles for the last 7 years under the Airtel brand, It will invest 44 million Seychelles Rupees for rolling out the services.

The new 3G and GPRS network will add a new dimension to the services provided to all Postpaid and Prepaid customers and roamers. This upgrade will open a gateway to Broadband Internet Access, Video Calling, Picture Messaging (MMS), Data Cards, Prepaid Roaming, Advanced Billing System and loads of other Value Added Services. The new 3G upgrade will also provide fast and more reliable Internet access of up to 384 kbps as against 10 kbps in 2G or 30 KBPS in GPRS, the release said.

The 3G Network will be on the IMT 2000 Band (3GSM) enabling complete alignment with the world standard. This will ensure seamless roaming with the rest of the world. Besides the upgrade Airtel is adding new Base Stations to expand its coverage to more islands.

via [contentsutra]

Ebooks coming to your nokia smartphone

Ebooks Corporation today announced it has entered into a five-year distribution agreement with Nokia
Corporation of Finland to distribute a growing range of popular books via a new generation of Nokia smart phones. The deal means that users of Nokia mobile devices will be able to find, buy, download and read books directly from their handsets.

Under the agreement, Ebooks Corporation will supply a range of book
excerpts that will be installed on Nokia phones. The phones will also include
key elements of the eBooks.com web site.
Ebooks Corporation has been selling downloadable books since the launch of
its ebookstore, eBooks.com, in 2000. The company now hosts an inventory of
27,000 titles from 130 global publishers, including Random House, Time Warner
and Simon & Schuster. ebooks.Mobile, the company’s forthcoming mobile portal,
will be accessible from any web-enabled handset.
Stephen Cole, CEO of eBooks.com said, “This arrangement will make it very
easy for Nokia mobile device users to find and read their favorite authors.
Our customers are especially tech savvy and very mobile. They will appreciate
the ability to access their library anywhere, any time.”
“Nokia is pleased to be partnering with Ebooks Corporation in this
interesting development. The mobile device is a logical platform for people to
carry and manage all their reading needs”, said Petri Hokkanen, Manager, Rich
Media Business Program, Multimedia Business Group of Nokia. “Screen display
and storage capacity have come a long way in recent years. At the same time,
the available inventory of ebooks has exploded. Ebooks Corporation’s years of
experience in producing and distributing ebooks will be of great value.”

About Ebooks Corporation
Ebooks Corporation is a global provider of electronic books. It has
distribution agreements with publishers worldwide. Ebooks Corporation hosts
and securely distributes ebooks through its retail site eBooks.com. The
company recently launched EBL – Ebook Library, a service for libraries that
enables students and researchers to access a wide range of books from their
desktops.

SOURCE Ebooks Corporation
Web Site: http://www.eBooks.com

Panasonic Mobile To Shut Down GSM Operations

This means that the Panasonic Mobile plant in the Philippines will be closed. The GSM production lines at the Czech plant will also be shut down and the GSM manufacturing in Beijing will be retooled to focus on 3G phones. The company also announced that it is working to shift all of its future handsets over to the Linux based platform that the company is currently using in the Japanese market.

This past week Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd, the parent company of mobile phone maker Panasonic Mobile, announced that Panasonic will no longer compete in the GSM handset business due to “severe global competition”. The company said that it will refocus all of its efforts on 3G handsets, where it has been quite successful so far.

This shift towards Linux means that the Panasonic R&D facilities in the US will be closed, as these offices had been working on devices based on the Symbian OS. The Panasonic R&D labs in the UK will refocus on 3G technologies.

Samsung to set up $15-m handset manufacturing unit

The factory will be set up at Gurgaon, Haryana. This is Samsung’s fourth overseas handset manufacturing facility in the world after China, Brazil and Mexico.

New Delhi , Dec. 9

KOREAN electronics major Samsung, on Friday, announced its plans to invest $15 million to set up a mobile handset manufacturing facility in India.

The factory will be set up at Gurgaon, Haryana. This is Samsung’s fourth overseas handset manufacturing facility in the world after China, Brazil and Mexico. The facility will have an initial capacity of 1 million units per year, which will be stepped up to 20 million units by 2010.

Nokia powers Eurotel WCDMA 3G network in the Czech Republic

The leading Czech mobile operator Eurotel Praha, spol. s.r.o. has launched the first WCDMA 3G network in the Czech Republic. The launch follows the successful live demonstration of 3G services, such as video call and Internet browsing and file transfer with Nokia High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) at the Brno trade show in October 2005

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 5, 2005

Nokia powers Eurotel’s WCDMA 3G network in the Czech Republic

Nokia and Eurotel test HSDPA in live network

Espoo, Finland – The leading Czech mobile operator Eurotel Praha, spol. s.r.o. has launched the first WCDMA 3G network in the Czech Republic. The launch follows the successful live demonstration of 3G services, such as video call and Internet browsing and file transfer with Nokia High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) at the Brno trade show in October 2005. In the first phase, the 3G services are available in Prague and Brno, but are expanding rapidly to other parts of the country.

“We are pleased to announce another notable first – being Czech Republic’s first mobile operator to launch services such as mobile TV, live video, full-track music downloads and video call, powered by WCDMA 3G, to our customers. This is a natural expansion of our current services and will strengthen our position as the market innovator,” says Stanislav Kura, Chief Strategy and Product Development Officer, Eurotel Praha, spol. s.r.o. “We are pleased to see that Nokia’s capability in WCDMA 3G network deployment helped us to launch the service in record time and according to our plans.”

Nokia and Eurotel are currently also trialling HSDPA, which is an important step in bringing faster mobile services to consumers. The two companies have completed an HSDPA call, reaching 1.8 Mbps download speed, in Eurotel’s live network using Nokia’s 3G network technology. “Internet browsing is a great example of the benefits that HSDPA will bring to consumers. It also demonstrates Eurotel’s commitment to maintaining leadership in broadband mobile data services,” says Stanislav Kura. “We are satisfied with Nokia’s solution and their support in making this high-quality HSDPA call and looking forward to put it in commercial operation.”

“We are very pleased to continue our long term and successful cooperation with Eurotel and join hands to achieve an important milestone in the Czech Republic’s mobile communications through the commercial launch of WCDMA 3G services,” says Matti Palom?ki, Country Director, Networks, Nokia. “Nokia is proud to cooperate with Eurotel in shaping the future of mobile multimedia communications.”

As part of the deal announced in September, Nokia provides Eurotel radio and packet core networks, including state-of-the-art 3GPP Release 4 MSC Server System, Nokia Flexi Intelligent Service Node (ISN), Nokia IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and HSDPA-ready Nokia UltraSite WCDMA base stations. Nokia also provides the Nokia NetAct(TM) network management solution, and services for network planning and implementation, operation and maintenance, and training.

The Nokia HSDPA is a cost-optimized, high performance solution with a software upgrade to the WCDMA 3G network that offers end users significantly faster download speeds. Operators upgrading their networks with the Nokia HSDPA solution can take advantage of improved data rates and throughput, enhancing the efficiency of the network to support a higher number of users at a lower cost per user. The Nokia HSDPA solution allows operators to provide enhanced end-user services at significantly lower cost per bit. Currently, several operators are testing the first HSDPA release, showing encouraging test results.

Later, an upgrade to High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) with enhanced upload speeds will be available in a similar manner. Nokia upload speed is already 384 kbps. Nokia already has over 20 HSDPA contracts, 7 of which have been published.

About Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o.
Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o. reported almost 4.5 million customers in its nework at the end of September 2005. The mobile telephone networks of Eurotel 900/1800 MHz and 450 MHz cover a territory which has 99 percent of the population of the Czech Republic (more than 10 million people). Eurotel holds a UMTS license for the operation of 3rd generation mobile services.

As well as services for post-paid customers on billed tariffs, Eurotel offers prepaid cards under the brand name Go and a full range and content of multi-media services, including video, MMS, voice services, WAP and SMS. Eurotel is the only mobile operator in the Czech Republic which offers the two most advanced GSM (wireless) data transfer technologies. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and GSM High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD) are available to contractual customers and customers with prepaid services. Eurotel as the first operator in Europe offers the CDMA2000 1xEV-DO high speed Internet access in its 450 MHz network. The high quality of Eurotel services includes SuperSound technology, which ensures a clean voice connection and 397 roaming partners in 160 countries around the world.

Eurotel Praha is a limited liability company (spol. s r. o.), and is owned (100%) by CESK? TELECOM, a. s.

Decision on 3g spectrum by 2006 first quarter

The decision on 3G spectrum is expected to be taken by first quarter of 2006, said Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran

NEW DELHI: The government of India is likely to take a decision on 3G spectrum early next year.

?The decision on 3G spectrum is expected to be taken by first quarter of 2006,? said Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran.

Speaking on the sidelines of the India Economic Summit, he added, ?We welcome more players in 3G, but the quality and the price at which services would be provided should be competitive, as it is a value-added service.?

He further said, ?3G is not a replacement of 2G. Even when 3G comes into India, investment in 2G would still continue.?

Speaking on the issue of unbundling the last mile, Maran opined, ?Government will not go for unbundling the last mile. I am very happy with the broadband progress and see no necessity for unbundling the last mile.?

He also stressed on the need for provision of more content. ?Price of broadband and PCs have gone down but there is no content to be accessed through these. We have to make sure that it is available,? he said.

He further informed that the new telecom policy would be out next year. ?IndiaOne is also happening and we have removed almost all barriers for its rollout,? he added.

via [ciol]

Nokia introduces Nokia 6234, 3G phone for Vodafone

In connection with its annual Capital Market Days event, Nokia today unveiled the 3G-enabled Nokia 6234. Featuring a 2-megapixel camera, a 320 x 240 QVGA color screen, digital music player, stereo speakers and a wide array of features and applications which take advantage of WCDMA mobile broadband services, the Nokia 6234 will be available exclusively for Vodafone customers world-wide.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 1, 2005

Nokia introduces Nokia 6234, feature-filled 3G mobile phone exclusively for Vodafone

nokia 6234

Feature-filled model underlines operator customization as cornerstone of Nokia strategy

New York, NY, US – In connection with its annual Capital Market Days event, Nokia today unveiled the 3G-enabled Nokia 6234. Featuring a 2-megapixel camera, a 320 x 240 QVGA color screen, digital music player, stereo speakers and a wide array of features and applications which take advantage of WCDMA mobile broadband services, the Nokia 6234 will be available exclusively for Vodafone customers world-wide. The stylish and classic Nokia 6234 (WCDMA 2100 / GSM 900/1800/1900) is expected to begin shipping in the 1st quarter of 2006.

“The Nokia 6234 for Vodafone is an excellent example of Nokia’s renewed commitment to operator customization — a cornerstone of Nokia’s strategy,” says Kai Oistamo, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “The operator-exclusive Nokia 6234 offers a familiar design and Nokia’s intuitive, easy-to-use menu structure, complemented by Vodafone’s signature colors, graphics and easy access to Vodafone’s wide range of 3G services. It’s an ideal balance.”

In addition to the operator exclusive industrial design, the Nokia 6234 offers an array of Vodafone-specific software features. These include Vodafone graphics, icons, menu texts and themes in the user interface offering a unique look and feel to the easy-to-use Nokia menu. Equally important, the Nokia 6234 provides branded access to Vodafone’s services. Additionally, the Nokia 6234 features Vodafone start-up and shut-down graphics and tones, customized wallpapers, screensavers and ringtones.

“We have worked very closely with Nokia over the last two years, with particular focus on developing more terminals which are Vodafone live! enabled,” says Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone. “We are now taking that to another level with the Nokia 6234. For the first time, we have a mobile phone designed by Nokia that is exclusive to Vodafone. The fact that it is a 3G product is all the more important.”

nokia 6234

For consumers, the 3G-enabled Nokia 6234 offers a 2-megapixel camera with 8x zoom, operational in landscape mode. With this, the Nokia 6234 allows for pictures to be taken on the spot while the video sharing functionality allows to mutually enjoy special moments instantaneously. The bright QVGA screen displays pictures and multimedia content such as videos and websites in a compelling and colorful way.

The Nokia 6234 holds an impressive music experience, to be enjoyed via the built-in stereo speakers with 3-D sound effects or headphones. Supporting microSD memory cards of up to 2 GB, the Nokia 6234 puts a collection of consumers’ favorite albums right into their pockets. A Visual Radio client complements the audio experience of the Nokia 6234.

With Bluetooth Wireless Technology, the Nokia 6234 easily transfers pictures taken to any compatible printer and seamlessly connects to a wide assortment of Bluetooth enabled headsets and car kits. Unifying easy-to-use imaging capabilities with music on the go and 3G services like video sharing, the Nokia 6234 offers up to 4 hours of talk time on GSM networks (up to 3 hours of talk time via WCDMA) and up to 2 weeks of standby time.

About Vodafone
Vodafone provides a full range of mobile telecommunications services, including voice and data communications. Vodafone has equity interests in 27 countries and Partner Networks in a further 14 countries, with a proportionate customer base of over 171 million. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com

VODAFONE, Vodafone live! and the Vodafone logos are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.