Nokia and Gemplus demonstrate R-UIM for North American wireless customers
For the first time North American CDMA operators can offer customers
easy international roaming and a greater range of services with reduced
operating costs
SAN DIEGO, CA – December 3, 2002 - Nokia (NYSE: NOK), and Gemplus
(NASDAQ: GEMP), the world’s leading provider of smart card-enabled solutions,
today announced the first successful test of Removable User Identity Module
(R-UIM) technology in a CDMA handset for the North American wireless market.
R-UIM technology offers benefits such as having one phone number for easy
international roaming, a new range of operator services and the ability
to own multiple handsets.
A pioneer in bringing smart cards to CDMA networks around the world from
China to Latin America, Gemplus is working closely with Nokia to test
products that would allow North American CDMA operators to realize the
benefits of R-UIM through Gemplus’ successful GemXplore World R-UIM technology.
R-UIM technology will allow North American wireless customers to roam
between various CDMA coverage areas, as well as GSM coverage areas simply
by transferring the R-UIM card from a CDMA phone to another CDMA phone
or a GSM phone designed to operate in the desired region. Additionally,
the R-UIM allows carriers to offer a greater range of services while reducing
operating costs and increasing revenue through international roaming.
“R-UIM technology helps to bring a wide range of advantages to CDMA customers
that are already enjoyed by the majority of the world’s wireless phone
users,” said Adam Gould, chief technology officer of CDMA for Nokia. “R-UIM
technology creates an environment where users can be free to choose the
handset that they wish to use on any particular day or time of day, whether
that means a trip to the beach, or a trip to the other side of the world.”
“Nokia’s endorsement of R-UIM technology is a bold and strong step for
the North American wireless market, allowing CDMA operators in the United
States and Canada to realize the international roaming benefits and operational
efficiencies of R-UIM technology, which have long been noticed by other
areas of the world,” said Pura Font, North America director of business
development for the telecommunications business unit at Gemplus. “Gemplus
is proud to be involved in the successful test of R-UIM and is eager to
watch the positive impact of smart card technology as it proliferates
through the North American CDMA community.”
A live demonstration showing the use of GemXplore World R-UIM will be
made at Gemplus’ booth #421 at 2002 CDMA Americas Congress from December
3-5 in San Diego, CA. Additionally, Gemplus’ Pura Font will discuss this
topic as part of a panel presentation “Capitalizing on Domestic and International
Roaming Solution Safeguards” at 1pm on Thursday, December 5th.
About Gemplus
GEMPLUS: the world's leading provider of smart card solutions
Gemplus helps its clients offer an exceptional range of portable, personalized
solutions that bring security and convenience to people's lives. These
include mobile Internet access, inter-operable banking facilities, e-commerce
and a wealth of other applications.
Gemplus is the only completely dedicated, truly global player in the Smart
Card industry, with the largest R&D team, unrivalled experience, and an
outstanding track record of technological innovation.
In 2001, Gemplus was the worldwide smart card leader in both revenues
and total smart card shipments (source: Gartner-Dataquest and Frost &
Sullivan). Gemplus was also awarded Frost & Sullivan's 2002 Market Value
Award for its exceptional performance.
Gemplus trades its shares on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on the
NASDAQ Stock Market as GEMP in the form of ADSs. Its revenue in 2001 was
1 billion Euros.
Gemplus: Beyond Smart
www.gemplus.com
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience,
innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become
the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile,
fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia
creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily
lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six
major exchanges.
For further information, contact:
Nokia
Keith Nowak
Tel: +1 972 894 6182
Email: keith.nowak@nokia.com
Gemplus
Kerry Butler
Tel: +1 215 390 2840
Email: kerry.butler@gemplus.com
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Alicia Jones
Tel: +1 323 202 1047
Email: alicia.jones@edelman.com
©2002 Gemplus All rights reserved. Gemplus, the Gemplus logo and GemSense are trademarks and service marks of Gemplus S.A. and are registered in certain countries. All other trademarks and service marks, whether registered or not in specific countries, are the property of their respective owners.
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