Tokyo, London and Dublin, August 17, 2005 - NEC Corporation
(NEC) and its third generation (3G) partner Siemens Communications,
today announced that they are assisting Hutchison 3G Ireland
(trading as "3 Ireland") in deploying its W-CDMA/UMTS 3G network.
The announcement represents the eighth Hutchison 3G network
deployment that NEC and Siemens have been involved in.
As the supplier of 3 Ireland's W-CDMA/UMTS radio access network
(UTRAN), the contract includes the delivery of a full complement of
Node-B radio base stations and radio network controllers with an
aim to providing ubiquitous 3G network coverage for 3 customers
around Ireland. 3 formally launched its 3G service in Ireland on
July 26th, 2005, and currently provides 3G coverage for 60% of the
Irish population, and voice and text coverage for 99.5% of the
population.
As an existing supplier of its 3G network solutions to Hutchison
3G in Austria, Hong Kong, Italy and the UK, NEC and Siemens are
further developing their strategic relationship with Hutchison 3G,
which launched Europe's first 3G networks in Italy and the UK.
The implementation of the W-CDMA/UMTS network from NEC and
Siemens allows 3's video mobile users in Ireland to access
extremely high data speeds (up to 384 kbps) which will facilitate
fast and easy access to next generation data services, including
advanced audio, video and interactive gaming services and
content.
NEC will also deliver a large number of units of its
point-to-point wireless access system "PASOLINK". "PASOLINK" is a
PDH/SDH microwave system and, due to the rapid expansion of mobile
networks globally, operators are deploying "PASOLINK" to connect
radio base stations to facilitate the reliable and speedy
installation of 3G mobile infrastructure. Worldwide sales of NEC's
PASOLINK exceeded 200,000 units in 2004.
According to According to Katsuhiro Nakagawa, Associate Senior
Vice President of NEC Mobile Solutions Operations Unit "This latest
contract is a clear testimony to the continuing success of the
highly effective 3G network provided by NEC and Siemens for
Hutchison. Since Europe's first commercial service launch, by
Hutchison 3G in March 2003, we have delivered a good many 3G
networks to Hutchison. I believe that our achievement has been
evaluated and led NEC to become a major supplier for 3 Ireland. Our
on-going close co-operation enables us to continue to maximize
Hutchison's competitive position in the marketplace and really
differentiate the 3 brand globally as it rolls out more and more
innovative 3G services worldwide."
Christoph Caselitz, President of Mobile Networks at Siemens
Communications, said, "This is yet another significant milestone in
the continuing development of the highly successful Siemens and NEC
strategic partnership. Together with NEC we are world leaders in
3G/WCDMA infrastructure"
Market independent industry analysts position NEC and Siemens in
the 3G/W-CDMA market as No.1 with regard to commercially installed
radio base stations - Node-Bs (source: Multimedia Research
Institute, Tokyo, April 05).
ENDS
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) is one of the
world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and
enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized
needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of
the world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored
solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron
devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks,
and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC
Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000
people worldwide and had net sales of 4,855 billion yen (approx.
$45 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 2005. For additional
information, please visit the NEC home page at:
http://www.nec.com.
NEC's mobile business
NEC is a total solution provider for 3G and the mobile Internet.
NEC has been involved in every first-stage rollout of 3G systems
worldwide. NEC is also responsible for developing the first 3G
handsets for use on the world's first 3G networks. NEC has
competence in the mobile Internet area with its mobile
infrastructure system, mobile application platform and its
impressive portfolio of contents. NEC's mobile handsets are known
for their prominent technologies including large color screens,
built-in cameras and other functions that make them ideal for use
in mobile Internet.
About Siemens Communications
Siemens Communications is one of the largest players in the
global telecommunications industry. Siemens is the only provider in
the market that offers its customers a full-range portfolio, from
devices for end users to complex network infrastructures for
enterprises and carriers as well as related services. Siemens
Communications is the world's innovation leader in convergent
technologies, products and services for wireless, fixed and
enterprise networks. It is the largest Group within Siemens and
operates in more than 160 countries around the world. In fiscal
2004 (year-end September 30), its 60,000-strong workforce posted
sales of approximately 18 billion euros. More about Siemens
Communications at http://www.siemens.com/communications
About 3 Ireland
3 Ireland is the new entrant in the Irish mobile services market
and operates one of Ireland's 3G mobile phone licences under the
'3' brand. 3 is Europe's leading video mobile (3G) operator and was
the first to offer 3G services to European customers. In Ireland, 3
has built a new video mobile (3G) network, to offer a convergence
of media, information and telephony to enable live video calls,
multimedia content and entertainment while on the move. 3 has also
signed a national roaming agreement, giving 3's customers full
access to Vodafone Ireland's GSM (or 2G) network, ensuring that 3's
customers will have the same level of national coverage as Vodafone
Ireland's GSM customers. 3 Ireland is 100 per cent owned by
Hutchison Whampoa Group which also holds 3G licenses in Australia,
Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the
UK. In March 2005, 3 announced that it had over 8 million customers
worldwide.
Media Contacts:
NEC Corporation
Akiko Shikimori
+81 (0)3 3798 6511
a-shikimori@ay.jp.nec.com
NEC Europe
Chris Shimizu
+44 (0)20 8752 2794
chris.shimizu@uk.neceur.com
NEC UK
Geoff Devlin
+44 (0) 7747 606648
geoff.devlin @uk.neceur.com
Siemens Communications
Christian Hoenicke
+49 (0) 89 722 37327
christian.hoenicke@siemens.com
3 Ireland
Graeme Slattery
Video mobile: +353 (0) 8333 02015
Graeme.slattery@3ireland.ie