Siemens delivers broadband mobile network in Finland for broadcasting network operator

Munich, Nov 16, 2006 - The Finnish broadcasting network operator Digita has concluded a master agree-ment with Siemens Networks for delivery of a national FLASH-OFDM mobile net-work. The plan is for the new broadband network to be put into operation next April – initially in Lapland and the more densely populated regions of the coun-try’s south.

Helsinki-based Digita, which is the largest provider of radio and television broadcasts in Finland, has concluded a master agreement with Siemens Networks for the delivery, installation and maintenance of a mobile broadband network based on FLASH-OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) technology.

Digita is investing in the new network to enable it to offer broadband services throughout Finland over a mobile network. “Our goal is to make Finland the first country in the world with a full-coverage mobile broadband network. It will then be possible to use broadband services anywhere in the country over our @450 network,” explained Sirpa Ojala, Digita’s CEO.

A FLASH-OFDM network is especially suited for this because it runs entirely via the Internet Protocol (IP). It transfers data at particularly high rates and is distinguished by low latency. As a result, download times are as short as in fixed DSL networks. All commercially available PCs and laptops and all common applications work smoothly in conjunction with a FLASH-OFDM network.

“The FLASH-OFDM network will allow everyone to use broadband services with complete ease and reliability. I feel certain that, for this reason alone, Digita will blaze the way with its new network,” is the conviction of Christoph Caselitz, President Mobile Networks at Siemens Networks.

In the area of FLASH-OFDM technology, Siemens is collaborating with QUALCOMM Flarion Technologies (QFT) – a reliable and successful partner that is developing a range of FLASH-OFDM products in accordance with Siemens’ specifications for the needs of today and tomorrow.

Ray Dolan, senior vice president of QUALCOMM, says: “QUALCOMM is delighted to be at the forefront of mobile OFDM to complement our global 3G CDMA success, and looks forward to continuing to support both Digita and Siemens in the deployment of these cutting-edge services in Finland.”


Background information on FLASH-OFDM
FLASH-OFDM operates on the 450 Megahertz (MHz) frequency band. Compared with other broadband technologies, it has low individual RF channel spectrum requirements (1.25 MHz).
The maximum data rate of 5.3 Mbps guarantees that even data-intensive applications such as on-demand video streaming can be received in excellent quality. The low latency ensures a speed to match that of DSL for browsing the Internet.
QUALCOMM and FLASH-OFDM are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Digita Oy
Digita Oy is the leading Finnish distributor of radio and television services, and an important developer of data communication networks and network infrastructure. Digita’s nationwide organization ensures the high quality of services 24 hours a day. Digita’s customers include television and radio broadcasting companies, as well as mobile and broadband operators. The company’s turnover was 97 million euros in 2005 and it employs 380 people. Digita is part of the international TDF Group.

http://www.digita.fi

http://www.digitv.fi

info@digita.fi

Siemens Networks GmbH & Co KG
Siemens Networks* engages in a dialog with its customers to create trendsetting communications solutions that help network operators and service providers achieve their business goals. Siemens Networks contributes its innovative strength, worldwide experience and unsurpassed implementation expertise in all areas of voice and data communications. As an innovation leader, Siemens Networks delivers customer value today and prepares customers for tomorrow with trendsetting solutions. Siemens Networks is a fully-owned subsidiary of Siemens AG and operates in about 100 countries.

* Siemens Networks will merge into a 50-50 joint venture with the Nokia Networks Business Group, creating a telecommunications powerhouse that will be called Nokia Siemens Networks. The new company will be a global communications leader with strong positions in important growth segments of the fixed and mobile network infrastructure and services, featuring a world-class fixed-mobile convergence capability. The new company Nokia Siemens Networks is expected to start operations by January 1, 2007, subject to customary regulatory approvals, the completion of standard closing conditions, and the agreement of a number of detailed implementation steps.

More about Siemens Networks at
http://www.siemens.com/networks

Contact Information

Kirsi Rejmann

Siemens Networks GmbH & Co KG

Contact via E-mail