Nokia to open 3G development center in Taiwan

Taipei, Dec. 18, 2003 (CENS)--Nokia Corp. plans to open a third-generation (3G) cellular center in Taiwan to help local Internet content service providers and 3G service providers develop value-added applications.

The center is scheduled to kick off operation in first quarter next year and expand into a technology research center afterward. Nokia began planning on the center last year.

The Taiwan center is Nokia's second of its kind in Asia. Globally, the world's top handset supplier has opened a total of five centers in Europe and America.

The Taiwan center will supply applicants equipment and technological assistance after reviewing their projects.

Nokia Taiwan pointed out that Taiwan has developed a mature GSM-based wireless communications environment, which has drawn many application developers to jump into the market. However, many of the island's application suppliers are not able to expand operations due to lack of technological assistance compounded by their small operation sizes. The development center, the company said, addresses the difficulty.

The center will also help Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. And Taiwan Cellular Corp., Taiwan's top two cellular-service providers, test and develop their 3G applications. Nokia won a contract last year to supply Chunghwa 3G systems.

Prior to Nokia, Ericsson and Alcatel have opened similar centers in Taiwan.