TIM launches Peru's first commercial GSM 1900 mobile network - solely supplied by Nokia

Nokia has delivered Peru's first commercial GSM 1900 network to leading Latin American operator TIM in a deal worth approximately USD 100 million. TIM is a new customer for Nokia, which is the sole supplier of the new nationwide network. The two-year agreement will be developed in three phases, ending with full coverage in several Peruvian cities by June 2002. The agreement opens a new era in Peruvian mobile telecommunications and reinforces TIM's strategy to become the leading GSM operator in Latin America.

Nokia has supplied its high capacity mobile switching equipment, and its unique high capacity base station controllers for enhanced coverage and quality of services. In addition, Nokia has provided a full turnkey package of professional services including Project Management, Network Implementation and training.

Nokia will also provide the Nokia UltraSite base station solution, which answers the increasing demand for higher voice and data traffic in today's mobile networks and evolution to the Mobile Internet era. An industry-leading product, Nokia UltraSite can support GSM, High Speed Data, GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA for 3G technologies.

"Thanks to this alliance with Nokia, our clients will have access to the most recent technology in mobile phones, as well as permanent access to new services offered by GSM" said Fernando Rivera, TIM Peru General Manager, "This new network is added to the GSM operations that we have in Chile and Venezuela and we intend to have over 100,000 subscribers in Peru by the end of this year."

"We are satisfied with the teamwork achieved with TIM Peru to allow Peruvians to enjoy GSM benefits, technology that leads the industry in the development of this new emerging communications era called Personal Multimedia", said Michael Keltai, Country Manager Nokia Peru, "Nokia's expertise as a leading supplier of GSM technology combined with TIM´s market experience will consolidate the operator as one of the leaders in coverage in Peru. In addition, the Nokia infrastructure will ease TIM Peru's migration to third generation standards."

Nokia offers total GSM systems, with everything from digital mobile phones to transmission and switching as well as extensive services and network management solutions for building, efficiently operating and developing these networks. The number of operators to which Nokia supplies GSM technology is now 105 operators in 48 countries. Nokia is a leading supplier of GSM networks with solution for all available GSM frequencies.

TIM was created in 1990, as the mobile radio division of Telecom Italia. In 1995, it changed its business scope and transformed itself into the largest operator in Europe and the fourth biggest operator worldwide with 42 million users.

In Latin America TIM is successfully delivering its services in the following countries: Argentina (Personal), Bolivia (Entel Movíl), Brazil (Maxitel, Tele Nordeste and Tele Celular Sur), Chile (Entel PCS), Paraguay (PCS) and Venezuela (Digitel).

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 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.

Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 (0) 7180 38195, Email nokia.networks@nokia.com

www.nokia.com