Latvian operator LMT has made the first public WCDMA 3G call in Latvia, using a Nokia test network. The demonstration showcased a series of services including streaming, Internet browsing, downloading, and video telephony, at data speeds of up to 380 kilobits/second. Juris Binde, LMT president, performed the call and data applications at LMT premises using the commercially available Nokia 7600 phone.

Nokia has supplied a full WCDMA 3G test network to LMT, including both 3G radio and core network equipment, as well as 3G terminals. The test network and the 3G call demonstrated today enable LMT to completely evaluate the technical advantages of Nokia’s 3G technology. The call also accelerates LMT’s roadmap to offer Latvia’s first commercial WCDMA 3G service by the end of 2004. “This 3G call is a significant milestone in LMT’s deployment of advanced mobile services,” says Juris Binde, President, LMT. “We are leading the way with state-of-the-art service in Latvia, and are confident that we are firmly on track to be the first here with commercial 3G service.” “We are very pleased to be a part of this important demonstration,” says Jan Lindgren, Vice President, Nokia Networks. “The test network and services Nokia has provided to LMT underlines the readiness of our WCDMA 3G solution for commercial service.”

Nokia introduced the latest additions to its strong portfolio of phones, with high-quality color displays, Java (TM) and multimedia messaging (MMS) support in the active, classic, fashion and premium categories, as well as a mobile entry phone, a new messaging device, and three new mobile enhancements. Nokia also announced its intention to bring mobility to the games industry.

Nokia will bring mobility to the games industry by offering console quality games for a new mobile game deck product category. The rich games will be distributed on memory cards. Mobile gaming interactivity will reach new levels together with game optimized mobile devices that offer consumers a truly rich, interactive mobile gaming experience. Nokia will introduce the first game optimized product in the mobile game deck category, the Nokia N-GageTM mobile game deck, together with branded game titles from top games publishers and developers.

Ericsson today announced the launch of infrastructure and device platforms for WCDMA/HSPA in the 2.6GHz frequency band. The move is triggered by strong market interest and supports the growth of mobile broadband worldwide.The launch of HSPA products for the 2.6GHz frequency band provides an immediate and secure choice for operators planning to offer mobile broadband services in this band.

The initiative also follows increased interest from mobile device manufacturers in launching HSPA devices for the 2.6GHz band. In turn, Ericsson is adding 2.6GHz support to its successful family of WCDMA/HSPA device platforms and mobile broadband modules for use in notebook computers.

New licenses for the 2.6GHz frequency band are now becoming available globally and Ericsson’s HSPA solution for the 2.6GHz frequency band supports opportunities for operators to create new markets. The deployment of HSPA on the 2.6GHz frequency band also stimulates current HSPA operators to further grow their existing mobile broadband business into new frequency bands, as it allows them to leverage existing infrastructure, providing greater cost efficiency, and supports a wider range of end-user devices.Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio at Ericsson, says: “The launch of HSPA products for the 2.6GHz frequency band supports Ericsson’s ambition to bring mobile broadband everywhere, at any time, from any device to as many people as possible.

Motorola, Inc will demonstrate the company’s latest hands-free automotive accessory portfolio next week at the Specialty Equipment Market Association 2002 Show in Las Vegas, November 5 - 8, 2002. The portfolio includes aftermarket Professional Car Kits, a Bluetooth(TM) Car Kit and Headset, Self- Installed Car Kits and Vehicle Power Accessories. The portfolio was designed for on-the-go consumers and businesses that desire the convenience of hands- free handset operation in their vehicles.

All of these solutions will be demonstrated during the show in Motorola’s booth, #11213.Motorola’s latest in-vehicle portfolio offers a variety of solutions for consumers who need to stay connected easily when they are on the road,” said Sue Fullman, Corporate Vice President & General Manager for Motorola’s Personal Communications Sector. “We believe these wireless products offer drivers tremendous benefits when used with good driving judgment and are excited to showcase Motorola’s latest in-vehicle collection during SEMA 2002.”Motorola’s Bluetooth(TM) Wireless Car Kit, a CES 2002 Innovations Honoree, transforms a Bluetooth(TM)-enabled mobile phone into a wireless in-vehicle communications system. With the new Bluetooth(TM) Car Kit from Motorola professionally installed, owners can simply start their vehicle and the car kit will automatically connect securely to their mobile phone. The phone can be in a holster, on a belt, on the front seat or anywhere in the vehicle, without the need for wires or cords to make the connection.

The car kit’s highly stylized back lit control panel allows the user to interface and operate key features such as volume adjustment, mute and voice recognition accessing up to 100 voice tags. This car kit allows seamless connectivity and universal interoperability with any Bluetooth(TM) enabled mobile phone containing either the Head Set or Hands Free audio profiles.

Alcatel announced it signed an agreement in Italy with Pirelli to integrate the innovative optoelectronic module developed by Pirelli Labs and Telecoms Italia Lab in its Evolium? multi-standard remote radio units solution. This solution will reduce the deployment costs of 3G networks while taking into account the electromagnetic environment.

Evolving from a centralized Base Station platform architecture to the concept of multiple distributed radio access points all connected to one common central unit, the Alcatel Evolium? multi-standard radio solution will integrate the optoelectronic module developed by Pirelli labs.

It will allow a smooth physical split between the central unit and multiple remote radio access heads by re-using existing optical fiber transmission. As a natural precursor of such initiatives as OBSAI* and CPRI**, the Alcatel Evolium? multi-standard base station architecture already integrates today a digital interface between the Processing part and the Radio part.

This agreement is part of the Alcatel co-operation initiated early 2003 with Pirelli, aiming at the re-use of existing optical infrastructure in Italy for UMTS deployment. Integrating the “Radio over Fiber” solution of Pirelli will provide Alcatel with a significant competitive advantage when compared with other available solutions in the marketplace, allowing increased cost efficiency and easier combination of multiple access technologies in mobile networks.

In addition the Alcatel Evolium? solution will make site acquisition easier, allowing to re-use existing 2G sites for 3G, while simplifying the operation and maintenance of hybrid networks. “This solution was developed thanks to intuitions and skill of our Labs: it’s a worldwide innovation and it represents first commercial product originating from the laboratories,” said Mr. Mauro Sacchetto, Chief Executive Officer of Pirelli Telecom Systems. “This new optoelectronic module, developed in strict cooperation with Alcatel, will enable mobile operators using Evolium? solution to benefit from more efficient equipment, that will reduce their deployment costs and help them take into account the electromagnetic environment of the stations.” Samy Gattegno, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcatel in Italy adds “This is a solution that will allow Alcatel to help mobile operators to more flexibly expand their 3G networks.

The solution we developed together with Pirelli provides operators with more adaptable ways to take into account the base stations environment when deploying their networks. It also paves the way for future mobile networks combining multiple access technologies.”

Vodafone acquired two European fixed line operations over the weekend, shelling out Eur775m for Tele2’s Italian and Spanish units. The acquisition will give Vodafone almost 2 million fixed telephony customers in Italy, along with 268,000 broadband resale customers and 375,000 direct access and unbundled customers.

In Spain, the Big V will acquire approximately 307,000 fixed telephony customers, 47,000 broadband resale customers and 200,000 direct access and unbundled customers.Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, president and CEO of Sweden-based Tele2, said that the company had decided “to take advantage of the consolidation processes currently taking place in the Italian and Spanish telecommunications markets in order to realize value.”On Monday, Tele2 also announced that it has sold its Austrian MVNO operations to Telekom Austria for Eur7m.At the end of June, Tele2 had 131,000 mobile customers in Austria. Jarnheimer said: “Our strength in Austria lies within our infrastructure based fixed and broadband operation.

However, the current market environment leaves us little room for a profitable and sustainable MVNO operation.”