France Telecom to launch WAP services based on Nokia's gear
[January 24th 2000] France Telecom Mobiles is launching a range of mobile information services
using Nokia's end-to-end WAP solution. The launch provides subscribers to
Itineris, the brand name of France Telecom' s mobile service, with the possibility to access the Internet from WAP-enabled media phones.
The main services include general news, weather reports, stocks, banking,
national phonebook, travel information, entertainment, horoscopes, as well as the results for the lottery, horserace betting and other gambling
services. This WAP solution demonstrates Nokia's ability to provide operators with comprehensive end-to-end solutions, from phones to servers,
including rollout and customer care services and systems integration.
Nokia and France Telecom Mobiles have been working together in the development of WAP services since 1998 and a WAP service trial was announced
last year. Nokia has provided France Telecom Mobiles with a comprehensive WAP solution
for the launch of its WAP service, including infrastructure and mobile phones. An extensive range of services is also included, comprising Rollout
Services, Project Management, Hardware and Software Maintenance, Emergency Support, O&M Support Services, Training and Systems Integration.
The infrastructure includes network elements from Nokia's IP portfolio such as the Nokia IP330 and VPN200 firewall routers, as well as Nokia Artus
Messaging Platform. The Nokia 7110 media phone has also been supplied, the first WAP phone commercially available on the market.
Didier Quillot, Director France Telecom Mobiles says: "We are very happy to provide our Itineris customers access to high level
Internet services from their mobile phone. The Nokia's WAP solution as well as the Nokia 7110
mobile phone are very well adapted to this innovative service".
"Nokia's comprehensive WAP solution based on open standards and platforms, enables the creation of feature-rich secured WAP services addressing both
the consumers and business segments. We are pleased that France Telecom Mobiles selected Nokia to integrate this platform-solution." says Laurent
Samama, Vice President, Professional Services' Business Solutions, Nokia
Networks .
France Telecom is France's leading operator of mobile communications services.
Itineris, the France Telecom GSM service, is the largest cellular phone network in France with more than 10 million customers and 97
per cent of the population covered in France. Itineris owes its fast growth to the
quality of its network and to its innovative services. For more information, visit the France Telecom Mobiles web site at
www.itineris.tm.fr
