Europe : Orange began a week-long demonstration of services over third generation networks at the ITU Telecom World 2003 show in Geneva, Switzerland.

Inset is Sol Trujillo, CEO of the Orange Group who is quoted below.

The Orange stand is showcasing a number of services over the Nokia-supplied WCDMA network, giving delegates an idea of the kinds of services Orange is working towards offering its customers in the future. The applications - created jointly for the show by Orange and Forum Nokia developers - demonstrate the speed, clarity and richness that third generation mobile technology gives to business and consumer customers.

The business applications demonstrate the improvement in the speed of accessing Internet over third generation networks (compared to current networks) as well as the improvement in user experience. Consumer applications shown include inter-active multiplayer gaming, high-speed download and streaming of video & music content, as well as viewing live images from web and security cameras both in Palexpo, Geneva and in key European locations.

Sol Trujillo, CEO of the Orange Group, said: "As always, Orange is focused on delivering high value services to its 45 million customers, and the demonstrations we are showcasing at the ITU begin to illustrate the potential benefits that third generation technology will bring.

"Our customers can already download files wirefree, access the Internet wirefree and watch video clips wirefree on their Orange phones. However, the improvement in quality, speed and the 'user experience' that third generation technology affords us will be substantial, and will serve to take mobile to the next stage in its evolution."

As an Orange 3G partner, Nokia recently signed a UMTS framework agreement for the roll out of Orange 3G networks.

Sanjiv Ahuja, COO of the Orange Group, added: "With 3G, our ultimate goal is to ensure the customer is able to access services that improve their lives, while the technology they are using to access those services - be it second, third generation networks, or WiFi - remains invisible.

"We are focused on delivering a mobile broadband-style experience through the Orange 3G network, whether that be on a phone, a laptop, or some other device. Our objective is to establish an industry standard for services, quality, reliability and performance in the UMTS and other technology environments. We are focused on leveraging the capabilities of 3G technology to launch world class services to our customers across the Orange Group."

In the UK and France, the Orange 3G network is well advanced. It is anticipated that full commercial trials of Orange 3G services will begin later this year in the UK, with commercial launch expected around mid-2004. Orange UK expects to offer 3G population coverage of over 40% at UK launch in ten major cities, the major rail routes and airports. In France, Orange has been working with Alcatel and Nokia for a year and a half, developing the 'Villes Orange', Toulouse and Lille, and building 3G capabilities. By the end of 2004, Orange will have 3G coverage in the ten major cities across France.

Sari Baldauf, President, Nokia Networks, said: "As WCDMA 3G networks are being rolled out, we feel it is vitally important to ensure a rich user experience of services and applications. The demonstrations at the ITU event give a good taste of the depth and variety of these services and applications which will very soon be available to consumers."

The services demonstrated on the Orange stand are displayed on two Nokia handsets. Business applications were shown on the Nokia 6650, while consumer applications were showcased on the recently launched Nokia 7600. Some of the applications demonstrated have been developed with support from Forum Nokia, Nokia's developer program that connects developers to the tools, technical information, support, and distribution channels they need to build and market applications around the globe. The Nokia supplied WCDMA network used data speeds up to 384 K during the demonstrations.