Three Nokia PR’s today: Nanotechnology, convergence and Siemens

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and University of Technology, Helsinki, to partner on research in nanotechnology:

Nokia and the Helsinki University of Technology, Finland, today announced an agreement to work together on a key strategic collaboration in nanotechnology research.  The two organisations will work together on selecting and progressing research into this exciting area of technology.  Nokia Research Center (NRC) will base a number of its researchers at the university’s premises in Otaniemi, Espoo, for the duration of these projects.  The collaboration is also part of The Finnish national FinNano program of TEKES (the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation).  This is the second university collaboration around nanotechnologies to be established by Nokia in recent weeks: a collaboration with the University of Cambridge, UK, was announced early in March.

The joint research activities are expected to focus on areas including:

• New computing and information storage methods
• Functional nanomaterials for mobile and ambient intelligence devices
• Carbon based nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes and graphene)

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Risto Nieminen of the Helsinki University of Technology, said: "Working with an acknowledged world-leader in research, such as Nokia, will help the university to extend its international reputation in science and technology.  Nanotechnology offers huge potential for organisations in areas as diverse as energy, environment – for example, low energy manufacturing and recyclability – and new materials."

Dr Bob Iannucci, Nokia Senior Vice President and head of Nokia Research Center, said, "Open collaboration with leading research institutions in our fields of interest is central to NRC’s strategy because it enables us to maintain the widest possible base for our research.  By combining our approach with that of the university research team, we are able to benefit from the different approaches and areas of interest of both organisations.  There is obviously a strong affinity between a leading Finnish research institution, such as Helsinki University of Technology, and a major Finnish company like Nokia and we are proud to be helping to promote science and technology research in Finland, with the assistance of TEKES."

Ambient intelligence sounds like my kind of thing. I’ve already visited Nokia HQ in TX, now I want to see if I can sneak past the impenetrable walls of one of the many NRC’s around the world. What dreams may come.

Future Nokia Siemens Networks counts down to start date at CTIA Wireless 2007:

At CTIA Wireless 2007, Nokia and Siemens are debuting in North America their future joint venture Nokia Siemens Networks just days before the new company’s start of operations on April 1, 2007.

The North American market is a global strategic opportunity for the future Nokia Siemens Networks. At a press conference on Tuesday, March 27 at 12 p.m., in Room 312B, Global CEO Designate Simon Beresford-Wylie and North American Region Head Designate Mark Louison will reveal the new company’s regional plans to emerge as the leading communications infrastructure supplier in North America. They will discuss how the new company is equipped with best-in-class products, solutions, and end-to-end capabilities that target the unique challenges of North American operators.

"The communications industry has a truly historic opportunity ahead of us to bring mobile and fixed broadband connections to the five billion people who will be ‘always on’ by 2015," said Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO Designate. "Nokia Siemens Networks will begin operations as one of the top three infrastructure suppliers in the world with the scale and resources to emerge as the leader in critical markets like North America."

"North America will be a critical market in shaping the industry as telecom, the Internet, media, and IT continue to converge and create new companies and business models," said Mark Louison, Head of North America Designate. "Nokia Siemens Networks will be uniquely positioned to have the products, solutions, and people to work with operators to create new revenue streams as they transform their businesses in this converging world."

<a lot of content, make sure to read the full press release as I never quote them in their entirety>

Long Term Evolution (LTE), is the next evolution for all FDD based mobile networks like GSM, WCDMA and CDMA. LTE promises delivery of new multimedia intensive and rich call applications with full mobility and a flat network architecture. Flat network architectures will be introduced with Internet-HSPA to provide reduction in operational costs and improved user experience in WCDMA and a smooth migration path to LTE. LTE will be demonstrated in the Mobile Experience Center with data speeds in the 160Mb/s range.

I’m glad to see Nokia is trying to gain market share in North America. Will the succeed? If they don’t I can always import their phones so I’m not too worried. LTE on the other hand sounds ridiculous. It’s something long overdue.

And the last press release about convergence is basically an attempt to fit every marketing metaphor possible into a single document. No new information.