Nokia’s claim to the have the first pre-commercial launch of a 3G network up and running for Orange France may not be welcomed by Nortel, which had a site, of sorts, up and running in Cannes in February for the 3GSM World Congress.
Nokia announced today that it has “lit” its 3G network in Toulouse. “This is the first pre-commercial launch of 3G in France,” a statement from the company said. Nokia is one of three manufacturers being considered by Orange in a three way split of its 3G infrastructure and services contract. The third is Alcatel. Nokia and Alcatel are also carving up Orange UK’s 3G network between them.
Clearly it’s all a matter of how you define “pre-commercial”. In any case, Nokia said its Toulouse network is now up and running. The third pilot city in France is Alcatel’s in Lille. No doubt that will be hailed as a first, too.
To see Nokia’s press release in full see News Wire section.