Under the agreement Nokia delivers a significant number of its EDGE-enabled UltraSite base stations as well as the Nokia NetAct (TM) network and services management system. The expansion will enable DTAC to increase its network coverage and capacity nationwide in Thailand and to increase and expand its EDGE coverage in major cities. Deliveries are ongoing and will be completed by the end of the year.

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{mosgoogle}"We strongly believe there are four to five million new subscribers in 2005 who want to enhance their lives through both basic and innovative mobile services. With industry-leading radio solutions and technologies supplied by Nokia, DTAC will be able to enhance our coverage further and provide our best network quality and latest applications and services to our subscribers," said Vichai Bencharongkul, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Total Access Communication PLC. "Moreover, we will be able to increase our EDGE coverage in the greater Bangkok area and expand it into other major cities, providing not only the best quality for voice but also the highest data speeds to DTAC customers."

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Sigve Brekke, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Total Access Communication PLC, added: "DTAC is shifting in high gear to employ the latest technology to extend our nationwide network capacity and quality. We will expand EDGE Service coverage in Bangkok and its vicinity as well as other big cities nationwide. Our subscribers will enjoy quality, crisp, clear voice service and high-speed data transmission. Our cooperation with Nokia in network expansion will bring great benefits to all DTAC subscribers. We believe this will further strengthen DTAC's status as the leading network operator in Thailand while growing the number of subscribers in the country."

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"We are proud to continue our long-term cooperation with DTAC. The Nokia UltraSite base station provides DTAC the ability to enhance its coverage and offer EDGE services to subscribers in rural and upcountry areas and thus fulfil the increasing needs of both current and new subscribers. Furthermore, the Nokia UltraSite base station is upgradable to future 3G services," said Suwit Pruckwattananon, Account Director for DTAC, Networks, Nokia Thailand.

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Nokia has been in collaboration with DTAC since the early 1990s and has been its sole network supplier since October 2003. The new frame agreement further reinforces the strong working relationship between the two companies.

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Total Access Communications PLC (DTAC) is Thailand's second largest cell-phone operator, providing mobile phone and network services in Bangkok and all other 75 provinces nationwide. DTAC currently has over eight million subscribers, representing a 30-per-cent share of the market. The company is the first operator in Thailand that deployed high-speed GPRS and EGDE technologies on its network to accommodate increasing demand of data services.

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Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.