Nokia Intros Multiservice Platform

HELSINKI -- Nokia has today launched, at the Broadband World Forum event in London, the Nokia D500 Release 3 access platform, a unique product for DSL operators evolving towards All-IP networks. The Nokia D500 Release 3 brings functionality unlike any other in the broadband industry by simultaneously processing IP, ATM and Ethernet traffic. It can future-proof operators' DSL access networks, allowing them to operate in the ATM world of today while migrating toward the IP world of the future. This capability will be a cornerstone in bringing in new revenues from services such as TV and video distribution. The Nokia D500 Release 3 is a multiservice Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), which takes broadband networks to an All-IP level by enabling "triple play" over IP. "Triple play" is a growing trend in the DSL business where voice, data and video services are bundled together. Doing this over IP networks allows broadband operators to make the most of their offering, bringing extra benefits, including mobility, flexible charging and greater service revenues.

To meet the growth that broadband continues to show in most major markets, particularly in Europe and Asia, the Nokia D500 Release 3 provides high-capacity streaming media capabilities. This means operators can bundle more high-bandwidth DSL content, such as multicasting, Video on Demand, Broadcast Digital TV and Interactive TV. It also provides support for Internet Group Management Protocols (IGMP), which lets operators take "triple play" to "quad play", by adding support for mobile devices.

The Nokia D500 Release 3 is specifically designed to allow operators -- many of whom are at different stages of their business, service and network evolutions -- to plan the development of their access while making the best use of existing 'legacy' networks and technologies. This helps to avoid costly step-up upgrades. In addition, by supporting the introduction of voice with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Call Control, voice over DSL and ATM, and Voice over Packet, the Nokia D500 Release 3 will further reduce an operator's dependence on switching and access systems that can have narrowband characteristics.

Trials with the Nokia D500 Release 3 are set to begin during autumn this year, with selected customers. The product will be commercially available during the fourth quarter.

As one of the broadband industry's leading vendors, Nokia has a renowned track record in broadband and narrowband products. Nokia works together with best-in-class companies to enable broadband services for more than 50 customers across the globe, covering the European, APAC, China, North and South American markets.

Nokia Corp.