T-Mobile Hungary Tests 3G

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- In 2003 T-Mobile was the first mobile operator in Hungary to demonstrate video telephony, and also as a forerunner of Hungarian mobile companies it will make its 3G services available to customers in Budapest as part of an exclusive pilot operation from June 1, using its multimedia network built in co-operation with Ericsson, the system supplier.

In preparation for the commercial launch of 3G, T-Mobile continues the pilot operation - started in February - by involving customers in the company’s third generation network available in the downtown Budapest area. The purpose of the customer trial operation for T-Mobile is to introduce the commercial service by building upon experiences gathered through the everyday use of video telephony and broadband Internet (384 kbps) - these services will be free of charge during the pilot operation. Using the Nokia 6680 video telephones during the test, T-Mobile’s multimedia NewsExpress service - being unique in Hungary, offering a new level of user experience - will also be introduced in this period. In a nutshell, this service offers timely and automatically updated information and newscast, using a program installed on appropriately enabled terminals. Users of NewsExpress can browse in the application - constantly displayed on the screen - by „fingering through” different themes, learning about latest news.

T-Mobile’s 3G network - built upon Ericsson’s equipment - will be available in the majority of Budapest by year end; the network expansion goes ahead as scheduled in the coming months. During the pilot operation 3G services will be available with the latest terminals equipped with dual cameras and special USIM cards. Additionally to corporate customers, key partners and telecommunication experts, those interested can also participate in T-Mobile’s 3G testing. Until May 31 anybody can apply through T-Mobile’s 3G portal (www.3g.hu) and lucky winners can become part of Hungary’s first 3G customer pilot operation, carried out in Budapest.

T-Mobile International AG