Batelco, the largest operator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has selected Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) to upgrade its mobile network with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology, joining the fast growing list of operators launching mobile broadband around the world. Continue ►

Tie-up connects Nokia Nseries multimedia computer together with home computer.

New York, NY, USA - Nokia (NOK) today announced that they will work with Orb Networks to integrate Orb MyCasting into the Nokia N80 Internet Edition. The integration will arrive initially in the United States when the device begins to ship November of this year. Orb MyCasting offers a single solution for enjoying all of your digital media stored on your home computer, remotely. Continue ►

The GSM Association, Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and multinational telecommunications group MTN have teamed up to establish biofuels as an alternative source of power for wireless networks in the developing world. The three organizations have set up a pioneering project in Nigeria to demonstrate the potential of biofuels to replace diesel as a source of power for mobile base stations located beyond the reach of the electricity grid.

Biodiesel has several important advantages over conventional diesel as a power source for base stations. Biodiesel can be produced locally, creating employment in rural areas, while reducing the need for transportation, related logistics and security. Biodiesel has a much lower impact on the environment than conventional diesel. The cleaner burning fuel results in fewer site visits and also extends the life of the base station generator, reducing operators’ costs.

“The early adoption of biofuel-powered mobile networks would place Africa at the forefront of a new wave of innovation that is making mobile communications affordable and accessible across the developing world,” said Karel Pienaar, CTIO of the MTN Group. Continue ►

New, Cingular exclusive comes with broad messaging capabilities, outstanding browsing experience, superb voice quality

CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA, US - Cingular Wireless and Nokia today introduced the Nokia E62 device, a robust, sleek device built specifically for wireless email whose attractive price promises to take superior mobile email access beyond the executive suite and into the hands of the everyday wireless user.

The Nokia E62 device will be available exclusively from Cingular in the U.S. for as low as $149.99. Measuring barely half an inch thick, it features a full QWERTY keyboard with large backlit keys for easy typing, and a sizeable, high-resolution 16 million color screen measuring 320 x 240 pixels. Whether they’re business people or consumers, Nokia E62 device users will have a variety of popular secure email platforms from which to choose. These include Good Mobile Messaging, Cingular Xpress Mail, BlackBerry Connect, Mail for Exchange (direct push corporate email from Microsoft Exchange), the Nokia push solution via Intellisync Mobile Suite from Nokia, and standard clients such as POP3, IMAP and SMTP. In addition, the device includes a pre-loaded instant messaging application.

Beyond email, customers can view, edit and create documents, spreadsheets and presentations. They also can surf the Internet with ease using the device’s robust S60 browser, developed by Nokia. This gives them access to a treasure trove of Web content via Cingular’s MEdia Net(SM).

“The Nokia E62 device is a game changer that will bring the power of wireless email to just about everyone who wants to experience it,” said Kent Mathy, president of the Business Markets Group, Cingular’s business-to-business organization. “Nokia has built a rock-solid device with an ultra-thin, modern form factor, support for several popular business and personal wireless email platforms, a great Web browsing experience and unsurpassed Nokia voice quality - all at a great price.” Continue ►

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has been awarded a contract by FarEasTone to deploy HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) and IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), while expanding its existing share of the 3G/WCDMA radio footprint from Northern Region to Central Region. Ericsson will also provide related support services.

The HSPA network Ericsson is building for FarEasTone will be the fastest of its kind in Taiwan, supporting initial download speeds of up to 3.6Mbps; nine times faster than today’s 3G network.

FarEasTone will also become the first operator in Taiwan to implement IMS. Ericsson IMS makes it possible for FarEasTone to combine today’s and tomorrow’s applications and create an integrated services offering for the Taiwanese market. IMS will enable FarEasTone to offer an attractive and convenient communications experience; utilizing one common system for all broadband services users will have the freedom to access any service with the most convenient device at any given moment. Continue ►

Nature-inspired soundtrack composed by ambient musical pioneer Brian Eno

Espoo, Finland - Inspired by the forces of nature and the sculptural beauty of the body, Nokia today unveiled its latest premium mobile phone, the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition. Sensual by nature, intuitively beautiful by design, the Sirocco Edition’s signature feature is a thumbprint, which perfectly matches the human hand. The soundtrack of the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition was composed by the avant-garde musical pioneer Brian Eno, considered the “father of ambient music.”

The Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition draws its name from the powerful desert-born wind that originates in the Sahara when a warm, dry air mass collides with the cooler, maritime air of the Mediterrean. The striking organic shape of the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition references the inherent strength of the human form, a concept further implied by stainless steel polished surfaces and a scratch-resistant glass display window. Like its namesake, the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition consists of two variants - light and dark, the light inspired by the hot, dry air mass, the dark by the cooler, humid one.

And as it blows, the powerful sirocco makes its own unique sound - a composition from nature caused by two air masses colliding. With nature as his inspiration, Brian Eno, the world renowned music composer and ambient music innovator, has created a unique ’sonic texture’ that is organic, calm and highly evolved. It has an otherworldly feel - comprised of notes created by instruments that Eno has selected and ’synthesized’ himself.

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Nokia unveils three new mobile phones for the fashion-conscious, including the first 3G fashion phone

Espoo, Finland - Building upon the success of last year’s highly popular L’Amour Collection, Nokia has unveiled three new mobile phones to meet the growing demand by stylish consumers the world over. From the elegantly iconic Nokia 7390, Nokia’s first 3G fashion phone, to the truly desirable Nokia 7373 and the timeless Nokia 7360, each model from the latest L’Amour Collection draws its design inspiration from tribal art and ethnic decoration. The result - a beautifully designed, intelligently considered and exceptionally crafted range of mobile phones, in a palate of colours and textures to meet every desire.

Finding inspiration in the faded luxury of grand architecture, the models from the L’Amour Collection will be appreciated as much for their exotic design as well as their impressive sophisticated set of features. Forms remain modern, round and pure. An earthy palate of colour and traditional materials, updates the bohemian feel of the earlier collection.

Aspects of embroidery, 3D appliqué, ceramic tiling and other traditional decoration are refined and modernised through a new craftsmanship - resulting in beautifully embossed leather finishes and graphics which are sublime yet eclectic. Further unexpected combinations enhance the splendour of the L’Amour Collection, as does the mix of traditional handcrafts with cutting edge technology. The collection espouses a ‘nouveau-ethnic’ feel - the muted tonality and bleached colour reflecting fashion’s new and sophisticated way of incorporating decoration. Continue ►

Many recent and classic titles available from Buena Vista VOD, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures through mSpot Partnership

Sprint (NYSE: S) launched today Sprint Movies, the first “pay-per-view” service for mobile phones in the U.S. that streams full-length movies, including recent box-office hits and timeless favorites from Buena Vista VOD, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures. Sprint Movies offers a growing list of more than 45 titles, including “National Treasure,” “Spider-Man 2″ and “Scarface.” Sprint Movies is powered by mSpot, which is responsible for video production and ongoing operations of the service.

Sprint Movies features many of the same conveniences as a DVD player. A movie can be seen in its entirety all at once, or it can be divided into chapters and watched over time. Customers can play, pause and skip forward or backward to different chapters. They can also resume a movie at the exact point where it was last shut down.

“Sprint Movies allows our customers to be entertained on the one device that they always carry with them and during times when watching a movie at a theater or on a home entertainment system isn’t possible,” said Alana Muller, director, entertainment product marketing, Sprint. “For example, customers can take their mind off a busy day during a lunch break, breeze through a few minutes while waiting in the parking lot for a child’s soccer practice to end, or make a two-hour delay at the airport much more bearable. And with child-friendly titles such as ‘Herbie: Fully Loaded’ and ‘Babe,’ Sprint Movies are also great to keep the kids busy in the backseat.”

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Espoo, Finland - Nokia’s activities around establishing Nokia Siemens Networks have progressed to the point where Nokia will now start identifying which employees from its corporate support platforms will transfer to the networks business support platform. Corporate support platforms are centralized Nokia-wide organizations, such as Business Infrastructure, Human Resources, Indirect Sourcing, Nokia Research Center, Corporate Communications and several others, that support Nokia’s four business groups.

This process will have no impact on the number of employees and will be carried out in accordance with local requirements.
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SingTel customers can now call over GSM/WCDMA and WLAN using VoIP technology

Singapore / Espoo, Finland - Nokia and SingTel announced today their collaboration to bring together the best of two worlds, 2G/3G and WLAN (Wireless LAN) in an integrated dual-mode telephony solution on Nokia E60, Nokia E61 and Nokia N80 Internet Edition. SingTel’s VoIP on mobile service, which is unique in its kind, combines the mobility of cellular and the cost-effectiveness of wireless broadband. Selected SingTel Mobile subscribers will be invited for a service trial which will allow them to use voice and data services from home and on the move through SingNet Wireless Surf Zones. The commercial launch of the service is expected to be later this year.

“Nokia is pleased to co-operate with SingTel on this industry leading initiative on our range of multiradio mobile devices”, said Chris Carr, General Manager, Customer Market and Operations, Nokia Singapore, “Consumers can now experience the power of mobility and benefit from accessing Internet services and calls without being connected to a computer.

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