3 Scandinavia together with Nokia Siemens Networks have launched a commercial 3G Push-to-Talk and Presence service in Sweden. The service enables people to use their mobile phones like walkie-talkies, communicating with a selected group or with individuals at the push of a button. In selecting the Nokia Siemens Networks hosting solution to host its commercial Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) and Presence services, 3 Scandinavia was able to roll out the solution more quickly and efficiently.

Nokia Siemens Networks is providing a full hosted solution to 3 Scandinavia including a full suite of network monitoring, operations and systems integration services. The solution also comprises Presence services, an enabling service which enhances the PoC user experience.

"Following our successful trial and considerable research into this market, now is the perfect time to launch our 3Push-to-Talk service," said Jan Blom, Director of Business Marketing & Sales, 3 Sweden. "The solution and services from Nokia Siemens Networks mean that we are able to focus fully on promoting new, value-added services to our customers.”

"We are delighted to be part of this launch with 3 Scandinavia,” said Jan Lindgren, Country Head for Nokia Siemens Networks Sweden. “This is continued proof of the strength of our hosting solution and the confidence it gives our operator customers, like 3 Scandinavia, to explore new revenue streams with reduced investment, risk and complexity.”

Hosting is one of the many tools that Nokia Siemens Networks can offer operators to help grow their business in the face of ever-toughening competition and growing technological complexity. Hosting is part of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Managed Services business, one of the main pillars of its growing Services business unit. Nokia Siemens Networks is a leader in the managed services market, with over 160 contracts serving more than 130 million subscribers around the world.

Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks’ end-to-end PoC solution offers a full feature set and is compliant with the OMA standard. It also includes the Presence solution which adds a whole new dimension to PoC by letting mobile subscribers know how and when they can reach their family, friends, or colleagues - before making a call. Nokia Siemens Networks’ PoC solution is part of its IMS for fixed and mobile offering and is compliant with 3GPP IMS standards. In addition to voice, the solution will be capable of supporting various push-to-media, such as video. With 58 customer references for PoC and 28 for Presence service, Nokia Siemens Networks is leading the market for Push to talk over Cellular in GSM and WCDMA.

About 3 Scandinavia

3 Skandinavia is a 3G and Mobile Broadband operator with 800 000 customers in Sweden and Denmark. The company is a joint venture between Hutchispon Whampoa Ltd in Hong Kong (60 %) and Investor AB in Stockholm (40 %) and it is a part of the global 3 group. 3 Scandinavia also holds a 3G license for Norway. For additional information, see www.tre.se  and www.three.com