[Plus GSM of Poland has launched multimedia messaging services (MMS) with Nokia as the supplier of its multimedia messaging solution. Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan selects Nokia to supply its MMS solution. ]

Nokia has signed a contract with Polish operator Polkomtel, which operates under the brand name Plus GSM, to supply the Nokia solution for multimedia messaging. The system brings next-generation multimedia-based services to Plus GSM's mobile subscribers.

With these new multimedia messaging services (MMS), mobile subscribers are able to send exciting new content directly from their MMS phone to another MMS phone or to e-mail. MMS is the next evolutionary step after text messaging (SMS), making it a familiar and easy-to-use service for subscribers. In addition to the text content of SMS, multimedia messages can contain images, graphics, voice, and audio clips.

Under the agreement, Nokia has supplied its multimedia messaging solution, including the Nokia Multimedia Messaging Service Center and Nokia Multimedia Terminal Gateway servers. In addition, Nokia has provided implementation and integration services and the Nokia KeyCare(tm) Package, which maintains the competitiveness of the MMS solution.

"A commercial launch was made during the last week of June and includes the possibility of e-mail interworking and receiving messages through a web page for subscribers who do not yet have MMS-enabled handsets," says Robert Krawczyk, Board Member and Director of Marketing and Sales at Plus GSM. "Our customers are able to compose and send media-rich messages to one another, and will soon be able to choose to have value-added messaging content delivered to their mobile devices. Plus GSM believes the greater functionality of MMS will be the starting point of a broader customer experience that will pave the way for 3G usage."

Plus GSM was the first operator in Poland to launch MMS commercially. The price is 2 PLN per MMS, and the size of MMS can be up to 50 KB. The service is available to all subscribers without any activation or monthly fees. The charge is only for messages sent.

Plus GSM subscribers can send MMS to mobiles and e-mail accounts. If a subscriber does not have an MMS phone, he or she is receives an SMS with information containing the name of the WWW page: foto.plusgsm.pl, and the unique login and password to that particular MMS.

"Nokia's Multimedia Messaging system offers Plus GSM a solid foundation for launching a whole range of multimedia services, and we are very pleased to extend our long lasting co-operation with Polkomtel into this new exciting area," says Konrad Pancewicz, Account Manager, Nokia Poland. "Nokia offers a complete end-to-end solution with intelligent applications, support for legacy phones, middleware and MMS-enabled mobile terminals. With the Nokia solution operators can offer their customers numerous revenue-generating services and applications."

Nokia also announced an agreement with Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) for the supply of a complete end-to-end multimedia messaging (MMS) system for CHT's advanced wireless network.

The end-to-end multimedia messaging solution that Nokia will supply includes the Nokia MMS Center, the Nokia Multimedia Terminal Gateway for non-MMS phones, the Nokia WAP Gateway, the Nokia Multimedia Email Gateway and the Nokia Profile Server. In addition, Nokia will provide its Personal Album application for long-term message storage.

"CHT is very happy to further strengthen its co-operation with Nokia. Nokia has shown its vision and ability to provide tailor-made solutions and services that will be an advantage to us as we move forward toward next-generation services," said Mr. Yue Chin-Yi, President of Chunghwa Telecom Mobile Group. "Today's announcement means that CHT will be geared to launch its MMS services by the fourth quarter this year."

"Nokia's state-of-the-art MMS solution and strong content and application support makes us well-positioned to provide superior experiences for end-users, "said James Lin, Vice President and General Manager, Business Development, Nokia Networks Asia Pacific. "For the first time, CHT's subscribers will be able to enjoy innovative and easy-to-use multimedia services with Chinese characters, allowing them to send and receive text, images, graphics and sound combined into a single rich message."

"Nokia remains firmly committed to supporting CHT's aggressive plans in bringing next-generation mobile communications to Taiwan," he added.

Nokia has among the wireless industry's most extensive track record in MMS with over 25 customers to date and an ever-growing number of launched systems, making multimedia messaging a reality for today's mobile consumers.

The Nokia MMS solution gives mobile subscribers the ability enjoy multimedia services such as content access and person-to-person mobile messaging from MMS-capable handset to e-mail, e-mail to MMS handset or between applications and MMS handsets. The Nokia Multimedia Terminal Gateway makes it possible even for users of non-MMS-capable legacy GSM terminals to receive multimedia messages. Legacy-terminal users receive an SMS notification and can connect to a web site to view their MMS message.

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