ISTANBUL, Turkey August 1, 2000 - Telsim, Turkey's innovative GSM operator, launched the first commercial General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network in Turkey today, making Telsim one of the world's first operators to implement GPRS. The commercial launch is just four months after the successful completion of the technology trials and the first live GPRS call in Turkey, enabled by the core GPRS network solution supplied by Motorola Inc. (NYSE:MOT) and strategic alliance partner Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO)
The contract for countrywide implementation of the core GPRS network was awarded to Motorola's Network Solutions Sector with an end-to-end solutions contract worth some $100 million, and will launch with Motorola Timeport p7389i GPRS handsets*.
Earlier this year, the Motorola/Cisco core GPRS network solution enabled Telsim to successfully trial mobile Internet access using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) over GPRS solution. Applications included email access, mobile e-commerce and mobile banking services.
GPRS as the fastest mobile Internet service available today, enabling Telsim to provide more effective use of WAP browsing, and giving users a 'virtual permanent connection' to Internet-based content and services. Telsim's commercial GPRS tariffs will be based on the data transferred, not the connection time.
Oguz Ozcu, General Manager of Telsim, said: "The speed of Internet access achieved with GPRS gives users enormous benefits of mobility and flexibility. We are implementing GPRS now as the key investment and migration tool for the future third generation network, which will enable an even greater range of services. An established GPRS network will provide a solid platform for the evolution to third generation communications."
Jeff Gordon, Motorola corporate vice president and general manager of the Network Solutions Sector for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "Telsim is once again taking technology forward in Turkey at Internet speed, leading the way with the first implementation of GPRS wireless data. With their planned network expansion to some five million subscribers by the end of the year, we look forward to working with Telsim to achieve the full potential of GPRS in one of the world's first nationwide commercial systems."
Motorola's GPRS contract with Telsim is for the countrywide implementation of Motorola's total Aspira GPRS network solution, and includes Motorola's Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), Cisco's Internet solutions including the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) and Cisco 12000 Internet routers in the core backbone. The world's first GPRS networks launched last month, enabled by the Motorola/Cisco GPRS solution.
In February this year, Motorola and Telsim announced an agreement for Motorola to provide infrastructure, handsets and associated services to expand Telsim's GSM network. As part of that agreement, Telsim has named Motorola as its exclusive regional supplier of GSM 900 equipment over the next three years. Motorola has estimated that revenues from this supplier agreement could be at least $1.5 billion.
Motorola Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronics solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion.
The Motorola/Cisco GPRS architecture can be implemented over an existing GSM network, protecting operators' investment. Motorola's GSM infrastructure systems are GPRS-ready, requiring only a software load and PCU addition, with no modifications to existing hardware. Offering controlled evolution to third generation mobile communications, the Motorola/Cisco GPRS data solution enables operators to take advantage of many new revenue opportunities. Cisco and Motorola together are driving market growth, developing applications and value-added services to provide operators with innovative, competitive and unique offerings for their subscriber base.
For more information on Motorola, please visit: www.motorola.com
About Cisco
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.
About the Motorola/Cisco Alliance
The Motorola and Cisco strategic alliance delivers end-to-end wireless solutions to operators worldwide through a powerful combination of Cisco Internet technologies and Motorola systems integration, radio frequency products and services. Over the past year, the alliance has introduced an open IP network architecture that integrates data, voice and video services for mobile networks, and provides users with a broad range of wireless Internet access solutions. The alliance has also secured a leadership position in the deployment of GPRS systems worldwide, and through these commercial deployments is providing a critical path to third-generation mobile communications. Motorola and Cisco continue to work together on joint development of IP network architecture and products, the promotion of open standards, and the creation of joint ventures such as the Invisix Centres of Excellence.
For more information about the Motorola/Cisco Alliance, please visit: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/756/partnership/motorola/index.html
For more information about Invisix, please visit: www.invisix.com
*Motorola Timeport p7389i GPRS phone
Motorola's Timeport p7389i GPRS phone allows easy and secure access to the Internet** and corporate Intranets almost anywhere in the world, users have mobile access to e-mails, train timetables, weather and traffic conditions, where roaming agreements are in place. The phone incorporates VibraCall. discreet alert and iTAP intelligent keypad entry software, which facilitates single-stroke text entry by predicting the word the user is trying to spell. It also offers speaker dependent voice activation, VoiceNote digital voice recorder and TrueSync multi-point synchronisation software. Users also have infrared (IrDA) wireless connection to a PC or PDA via a built-in modem, so they can access their ISP or corporate server to check email or surf the Web** on the move.
** Network and subscription dependent feature. Not available in all areas
Motorola and VibraCall are registered trademarks of Motorola Inc.
Timeport, iTAP and Aspira are trademarks of Motorola Inc.
TrueSynch is a trademark of Starfish Software
Cisco is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems Inc.
All other company, brand and product names contained in this release are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks which are the sole property of their respective owners.
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