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Nokia and Vodafone Omnitel N.V. in Italy have signed an agreement to upgrade Vodafone Italy's core network for GSM and WCDMA 3G with Nokia's MSC Server System. The MSC Server System brings improved efficiency in the core network for the delivery of voice minutes by reducing floor space occupancy and optimizing investments for mobile networks evolution. Vodafone becomes one of the first operators to deploy a 3GPP Release 4 MSC Server Systems in its commercial network.

Volume deployments have started following a successful testing period with commercial live GSM and WCDMA traffic.

Nokia is leading the market in the volume availability of 3GPP Release 4 architecture and is the only vendor able to provide full 3GPP Release 4 support for both GSM and WCDMA 3G.

"We are pleased to continue supporting Vodafone Italy in modernizing its network to meet the needs of the future," says Christian Fredrikson, Vice President, Networks, Nokia. "The Nokia MSC Server supports future network architectures as well as existing GSM and WCDMA services, making it an ideal basis for voice services in networks today and tomorrow."

The Nokia MSC Server Solution is the new voice core solution for 2G and 3G networks. Specified in 3GPP Release 4, the Nokia MSC Server Solution upgrades the operator's circuit core network for 3G expansion and IP-based technologies, as well as optimizes GSM networks. It enables operators to concentrate call control to large centers, while distributing switching functions to locations close to traffic hot spots -- reducing the cost of building and operating mobile networks.

Both GSM and WCDMA services can be offered in the same network elements without limitations, which means that migration to combined GSM/WCDMA networks can be accomplished cost-efficiently.

The MSC Server is also the first architecture to enable a safe and standardized way to implement carrier-grade Voice over IP protocol (VoIP) service in mobile core networks.

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia is dedicated to enhancing people's lives and productivity by providing easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, and solutions for imaging, games, media, mobile network operators and businesses. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges.