Nokia Press Releases from the past week

My little trip to NYC was extremely relaxing. I needed a week away from my computer. Now that I’m back it’s probably going to take me 2 solid days to read everything Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Reader has collected. Instead of covering 6 press releases separately, I’m just going to lump them all in to one big post. My comments are in bold.

Nokia, Sprint Nextel to Roll Out Mobile WiMAX Services in Texas:

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced that Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel has awarded it the four Texas markets of Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin for the initial build-out of Sprint Nextel’s mobile WiMAX network.

Nokia will deploy WiMAX infrastructure, including the Nokia Flexi WiMAX Base Station, at sites throughout the four Texas markets, enabling Sprint Nextel to deliver wireless Internet broadband access to consumers, businesses and governments. Service is expected to commence in the Texas markets during the first half of 2008. Sprint Nextel’s mobile WiMAX network intends to cover 100 million people nationwide by the end of 2008.

"Nokia’s WiMAX solution provides Sprint Nextel a highly cost-effective network infrastructure solution for delivering broadband wireless Internet connectivity to its Texas customers," said Mark Louison, head of Nokia’s Networks division in North America.  "Nokia has extensive experience in designing, deploying, and maintaining high quality networks in North America, and will apply best practices to ensure the highest level of service for Sprint Nextel’s WiMAX customers.  We are confident in our ability to deploy the network on time in these markets in the first half of 2008."

Nokia will showcase its complete mobile WiMAX infrastructure solution and demonstrate mobile WiMAX technology at CTIA Wireless 2007 in Orlando, Fla. at the end of March.

In addition to supplying Sprint Nextel with WiMAX network infrastructure, Nokia will also develop WiMAX-enabled mobile devices, including multimedia computers and Internet tablets, which are expected to be available in 2008.

We have conformation! Mobile phones and the next version of the Nokia Internet Tablet will be WiMAX enabled with availability in 2008! I just want to know the cost and speed of what Sprint Nextel plans to offer.

Nokia Siemens Networks will begin operations on April 1, 2007:

Nokia and Siemens announced today that Nokia Siemens Networks will start operations on April 1, 2007. Nokia and Siemens are contributing their respective carrier networks businesses and corresponding assets into this new 50:50 company. Both parties have agreed to increase their respective net asset contributions to the new company, with Siemens to contribute EUR 2.4 billion and Nokia to contribute EUR 1.7 billion. With its global scale and size, Nokia Siemens Networks is in a great position to play an industry leading role by developing innovative, cost-efficient products and services. Nokia Siemens Networks will have one of the world’s best R&D teams, who will advance the development of product platforms and services for next-generation fixed and mobile networks.

"In the consolidating telecommunications market Nokia Siemens Networks will offer customers cost-saving, leading-edge solutions that will also optimally meet their needs with regards to convergence," said Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo.

This view is shared by Klaus Kleinfeld, President and CEO of Siemens AG. "With the launch of Nokia Siemens Networks, a strong leader with excellent growth potential is entering the top league of the telecommunications market. In taking this step, we are dramatically strengthening our market position and creating sustainable value."

What is one of the world’s best R&D teams working on?

Nokia Receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2007 North American Mobility Award for Mobile Device Management:

Nokia today announced that its Enterprise Solutions business group has received the 2007 Frost & Sullivan North American Mobility Award for Mobile Device Management.

"Mobile device management and mobile security is now a critical component to any enterprise deploying a mobility solution," said Samir Sakpal, Frost & Sullivan. "These solutions enable businesses to cope with rising costs, security concerns and management issues in the fast-paced mobile device market. The Nokia Intellisync Device Management solution was awarded because it has made it easier for IT departments and operators to secure and manage mobile device fleets while reaping the benefits of improved mobile worker productivity."

"Being recognized for our leadership in this increasingly critical market segment reinforces our commitment to business mobility," said Tom Libretto, director of strategy, mobility solutions, Enterprise Solutions, Nokia. "We deliver some of the largest deployments of mobile email and device management over the widest array of devices and application platforms across businesses and operator networks around the world. We have seen the demand for device management grow exponentially over the past 18 months, which underscores our vision that mobility is about more than just mobile email."

Congratulations. Keep it up and don’t stop innovating. Microsoft isn’t sitting idle.

Nokia 6288: Captivating slide phone with leading-class video capture and playback capabilities:

Nokia today announced the new Nokia 6288 for China market, a compact tri-band GSM slide phone that adds high-quality video capture and playback capabilities among its mix of other compelling features. The built-in FM radio and music player on the Nokia 6288 supports multiple formats such as MP3, AAC and eAAC+ allows easily accessible mobile music enjoyment. Nokia 6288 has been launched worldwide during Q4 2006 and since it has enjoyed strong sales momentum, while this is a new version tailored to the requirements of China market.  The Nokia 6288 for China is expected to begin shipping at the end of March, 2007.

"Nokia believes that high quality video recording and playback is fast becoming a lifestyle trend in China – especially when you can freely record whatever, wherever and whenever. The high quality playback of video recordings or watching of favourite videos on its large, bright 2.2" QVGA (320×240 pixels), 262,144 colour display is exhilarating on the Nokia 6288", said Marko Rantanen, Vice President of Nokia Mobile Phone, SMO China Area.  "We are seeing video fast becoming a mass market phenomenon and can be seen as the next wave after digital photography which is already supported in many of our Nokia devices".

The Nokia 6288 is ideal for smooth and high quality video playback recorded on miniSD memory card fitted to its hot swappable slot (which supports up to 2GB – miniSD card sold separately). Outfitted with a 2-megapixel camera with 8X smooth digital zoom and integrated camera flash, the Nokia 6288 makes it easy to capture rich colour still images and videos of special moments.

The Nokia 6288 weighs approximately 115g and is available in high gloss brilliant black. Other exciting colours are planned to be introduced in the near future.

Looks sexy. Would I buy it? Not really. The only slider phone I’ve ever loved is the Nokia 8800.

Nokia files Patent Exhaustion Case against Qualcomm in Germany and the Netherlands:

Nokia announced today that it has filed complaints against Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM) in Germany and the Netherlands requesting declarations that Qualcomm’s European patents are exhausted in respect of products placed on the European Union (EU) market with a Qualcomm license, in this instance chipsets supplied by Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN). Texas Instruments and Qualcomm are publicly known to have entered into a so called Patent Portfolio License in 2000.

If Nokia’s claim succeeds, Qualcomm would be prevented in Europe from enforcing its respective patents in relation to Nokia handsets incorporating such chipsets.

The complaints were filed in the Regional Court of Mannheim (Germany) and in the Hague District Court (the Netherlands); both courts have substantial experience in patent matters within the EU.

Since the early 90’s Nokia has invested approximately €30 billion in research and development and built one of the wireless industry’s strongest and broadest IPR portfolios with over 11,000 patent families.  Nokia is a world leader in the development of GSM technologies, and its evolution to WCDMA, which is also demonstrated by Nokia’s strong patent position in these technologies.

Here’s hoping for the best. It’s a shame that patents can have such an effect on technology. Where is my triband WCDMA Nokia device? Stuck in an endless sea of red tape.

Cyfrowy Polsat chooses Nokia as its core network supplier:

Cyfrowy Polsat, Poland’s largest satellite television broadcaster, is entering the Polish mobile telephony market and has chosen Nokia as its core network supplier. The deal is the first contract in Poland for a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) environment, and includes the industry-leading Nokia mobile softswitch solution, strengthening Nokia’s position as the leading supplier of telecommunications infrastructure in the Polish market.

"Having a strong technology partner is essential when entering a competitive market, such as telecommunications in Poland. Taking into account the rich implementation experience of the local Nokia team, we are convinced that we will manage to complete the project quickly and by the planned market entry date," said Dominik Libicki, President, Cyfrowy Polsat S.A.

"Nokia is excited to be working with such an innovative company as Cyfrowy Polsat. We believe our technology, as well as our service capabilities, will be a solid foundation for Cyfrowy Polsat to grow its business. We look forward to further co-operation with Cyfrowy Polsat as its business evolves," said Olof Henricsson, Vice-President for Central Europea, Networks, Nokia.

Hmmm … what exactly is a satellite television provider planning to do with their own MVNO?