www.mobilkomaustria.com

mobilkom austria nation's first provider to make full-coverage third generation service available throughout Austria - Intelligent combination of EDGE and UMTS provides technological basis: UMTS PLUS - Available throughout Austria by mid-2005 - First UMTS PLUS terminal available now.

"By using EDGE carrier technology as an intelligent complement to UMTS, we will be able to offer optimal utilization of mobile high speed multimedia services throughout Austria - that is, on a full-coverage basis - by the summer of 2005," says Dr. Boris Nemsic, CEO of mobilkom austria and COO Wireless Telekom Austria. "As a result, we can provide both a high speed, full-coverage 3G network as well as crystal-clear voice quality. This offer places among the three leading operators in Europe. Because the combination of UMTS and EDGE represents significant added value for our customers, we have had the term UMTS PLUS registered."

Above all, complementing UMTS with EDGE also makes economic sense, according to mobilkom austria's CEO. While 60% population coverage for UMTS was achieved by the end of 2004, the enhancement of the UMTS network through EDGE will make population coverage of 95% possible - and that within a very short time. This makes UMTS PLUS the first and only nationwide third generation, high-performance mobile communications network.

Complete Expansion of 3G to Begin in Four Provinces
The upgrading of existing base stations was begun in four federal provinces in December 2004. "The key to success is our leading know-how in the area of radio technology. The intelligent combination of UMTS and EDGE basic technology makes new transmission facilities in rural areas unnecessary," says Nemsic. Population coverage of 95% will be achieved by the end of the second quarter of 2005.

Ideal Start to a Strong Combination
UMTS PLUS makes optimal use of the respective advantages of both EDGE and UMTS. "This offer puts us in the lead in terms of quality, full coverage, and mobile high speed. It allows us to create a unique customer advantage regarding utilization of mobile high speed multimedia services in all of Austria," explains Dr. Hannes Ametsreiter, Director of Marketing, Distribution and Customer Services. The success of the 3G card in Austria has contributed significantly to making UMTS PLUS a necessity.

The high transmission rates provided by the 3G carrier technology make use of even the most sophisticated and data-intensive applications possible throughout Austria - for example A1 NAVI, the complete satellite navigation system for the mobile phone. Route planning, from starting point to desired destination, is carried out by a powerful server based on data transmitted by a portable GPS receiver. The mobile pone itself simply downloads the completed route plan. This application offers two options for displaying the correct route: one can use clearly indicated arrow symbols to mark the way to the goal, or one can choose a street map as orientation.

A1 NAVI then determines the position to within just a few meters - entirely adequate for road travel. The high quality of the maps and the smooth transmission of data calls for a 3G network technology of the kind made possible by UMTS PLUS.

And best of all: "As we launch this service, we can already offer a corresponding mobile phone," Hannes Ametsreiter is pleased to announce, "The Nokia 6630 is perfectly suited for UMTS PLUS and can thereby be used within the A1 network throughout Austria."