Industry News

www.Ring-Tones.co.za: The Cape Town-based MTN Sciencentre has set a new Guinness World Record for the world's largest functioning mobile telephone. Measuring 2.50 x 1.14 x 0.49 metres, the fully functional scaled-up Sony Ericsson W810i has broken the existing record that was first established by the Maxi Handy at the Rotmain Centre, Bayreuth, Germany in 2006.

Head of the MTN Sciencentre Julie Cleverdon says; “We are thrilled with the achievement, which is the result of a collaboration of efforts between the MTN Sciencentre, Ericsson and Sony Ericsson.”

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a global leader in wireless communications, today announced its most extensive mass market portfolio to date. The MOTOMOBILE portfolio will bring uncompromising style and innovation and a rich mobile experience to the next billion mobile users.

MOTOMOBILE handsets include features that have been adapted to the needs of emerging markets, along with high-end functionality that is becoming increasingly important to a new breed of consumers. The new MOTOMOBILE portfolio includes features such as a mega-pixel camera, MP3/AAC playback, video capabilities and Motorola's new CrystalTalk(TM) technology, making it easy to hold conversations in noisy environments.

Taking centre stage is the Motorola W510, offering the best in design and value with uncompromised functionality. This stylish clamshell features sleek MOTOKRZR(TM) inspired design and boasts a vibrant 262k colour TFT screen. The handset's 1.3MP camera with 8x digital zoom provides crisp still photography and video capture on the go.

The W510 supports MP3/AAC ring-tones and music and has an integrated audio player. It incorporates GPRS/EDGE functionality for speedy over the air downloads, progressive download and video streaming as well as CrystalTalk.(1)

The W510 also includes support for operator branded services that make it easy for consumers to access specialised content and services, such as voice messaging and games, from operators around the world.(1)

"Motorola is focused on delivering must-have design and must-do experiences across all technologies and price tiers." said Ron Garriques, president of Motorola Mobile Devices. "Our latest family of MOTOMOBILE handsets increases choice to suit every individual and provides an even greater first experience for the next billion handset users."

Other handsets announced today in Motorola's MOTOMOBILE portfolio:

W215

Building upon the design of Motorola's existing products such as the W208, Motorola's W215 is a feature packed candy-bar handset that includes a vivid 65K TFT colour display, integrated FM radio, and a VGA camera with 4x zoom. Downloading and uploading pictures and ring tones to and from a computer with the support for Handset Manager

This slim, eye-catching, handset supports a large internal phonebook with capacity of up to 500 contacts and the ability to store up to 750 SMS on the phone. It also features downloadable ringtones(1), iTAP(TM) predictive text messaging(1), 1MB of user storage(2) and office quality speakerphone functionality. Its expanded battery life provides talk time of up to approximately 470 minutes with up to approximately 300 hours of standby time.(3)

W205

Expanding Motorola's line-up of products, the compact and thin W205 features the best of the basics from the Motorola W215 including a brilliant 65K CSTN colour display with an abundance of internal storage. The W205 also supports a large internal phonebook and capacity for up to 500 contacts as well as the ability to store up to 750 SMS to the phone. The handset also features downloadable ringtones(1), iTAP predictive text messaging(1), 1MB of user storage(2) and an office quality speakerphone. The battery provides talk times of up to approximately 470 minutes with standby time clocking in up to approximately 300 hours.(3)

Nokia and Siemens announced today that they would start sharing the proposed product portfolio plan for the future Nokia Siemens Networks with employees and customers starting in early February. As a result, Nokia and Siemens will immediately begin the process of sharing the proposed future product portfolio information with employee representatives.

“As we continue to make strong progress in integration planning for Nokia Siemens Networks, it is critical that we are able to maintain the strong support that we have seen so far from customers by providing them with clarity about our future portfolio plans,” said Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO-designate of Nokia Siemens Networks. “Sharing that information now is also in the best interests of employees so we are able to ensure the strongest possible start for Nokia Siemens Networks. While the portfolio plans are still subject to input from customers and employee consultation processes, we believe that we will be ideally positioned to provide best-in-class products and services for the converging telecommunications world.”

Planning is still underway to assess the personnel, site and country-level impact of the proposed product portfolio plan as well as expected transition times and requirements for ongoing support for existing products. As planning proceeds related to the personnel implications of the proposed portfolio plans, those implications will be made available in accordance with local legal practices. The business and personnel implications are expected to be available only after the closing of Nokia Siemens Networks.

As previously announced, the synergies associated with the creation of Nokia Siemens Networks are expected to result in a headcount adjustment over the next four years of approximately 10-15 percent from the initial combined base of approximately 60,000. Actual employee reductions will only take place after the appropriate consultations are completed according to each jurisdiction’s labor law requirements and Nokia Siemens Networks has begun operations.

Nokia and Siemens have made strong progress towards the integration of Nokia Siemens Networks. The transaction has been given antitrust approval in the European Union and the United States, and the new company's global mode of operation and organizational structure have been defined. The planned merger to create Nokia Siemens Networks is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007.

On December 31st, Nokia New Year's Eve delivered on its promise to connect millions of people around the world through five spectacular events being held as part of the biggest New Year's party of 2006. Five party capitals -- Hong Kong, Mumbai, Berlin, Rio and New York -- all played their part to celebrate the beginning of 2007. Those in attendance at the live show, or watching the global broadcast on television or online saw some of the biggest names in music celebrating a truly unforgettable night.

Nokia New Year's Eve began at Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal with Atomic Kitten topping the bill and making their first international appearance since splitting in 2004. They performed hits such as Whole Again and Tide Is High after an impressive roster of local stars including DJ Jamaster A, Eason Chan, Grasshopper, Hacken Lee, Joey Yung, Josie Ho, Jun Kung, Paul Wong, Soler and Twins entertained the crowd throughout the evening. Despite the massive Internet challenges created by the recent earthquake in Taiwan, Hong Kong music fans were also able to stream the live concert footage directly to their mobile thanks to a select group of local operators.

Moving west, Mumbai's Andheri Stadium played host to a star-studded celebration that featured performances by Grammy Award-winning Nelly Furtado, Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman, and Bollywood superstars Priyanka Chopra, Shahid Kapoor, Koena Mitra, among others. Furtado, a Canadian performing in India for the first time, captivated the crowd by singing two Hindi ballads, Kabhi Kabhi and Yeh Sama, in addition to her international hits Powerless, Maneater and I Am Like A Bird. Nokia New Year's Eve also marked the public debut of the first English language composition by Indian musical legend A.R. Rahman - Pray For Me, Brother - an anthem dedicated toward the eradication of world poverty. As the clock closed on midnight, Rahman, also known as the "Mozart from Madras", got the crowd into the party spirit with his all-time hit Humma Humma as well as his Oscar-nominated single Khalbali.

"Thank you Nokia for making this happen. I have wanted to come to India all my life," said Nelly Furtado after the show. "The crowd was amazing and it was so much fun to perform on the same bill as so many talented Indian artists."

Berlin's Brandenburg Gate was the largest Nokia New Year's Eve celebration with an estimated 1.2 million party-goers in attendance. In front of this massive audience, headline act Scissor Sisters played their hit singles I Don't Feel Like Dancin' and Comfortably Numb in a ninety-minute set that wowed the audience before a spectacular 10-minute pyrotechnics display erupted at midnight. Sugababes then took to the stage to carry on the party well in to the night.

"This will be the biggest audience we've ever played to so we were really excited! We love coming to Berlin simply because nobody parties harder and longer than the Berliners," said Ana Matronic from Scissor Sisters before they took the stage. "After the show we plan on having an excessively fun and ridiculous evening which we hope will set the tone for the rest of 2007! Happy New Year everyone!"

In Rio, Brazilians showed that a bit of rain would not stand in the way of an amazing night. More than one million people celebrated Nokia New Year's Eve in a nine hour concert on Ipanema beach. The crowd was treated to unforgettable performances by the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and Brazilian music legend Sérgio Mendes as well as local artists Funk'n Lata and DJ Marlboro, amongst others.

The Black Eyed Peas played all of their hits including Where Is The Love? and Pump It as well as an unforgettable collaboration with Sérgio Mendes for the hit song Mas que Nada. Sergio Mendes was making his first Brazilian live performance for 28 years and treated the crowd to a host of hits from his country's musical history. Speaking after the show, Mendes said "This was a night of magic. Sharing my music with the Brazilian audience was emotional and unforgettable. This was without a doubt one of the happiest days in my life".

The night rounded off in New York with performances from Rihanna, Ludacris and KT Tunstall appearing in "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2007".

Each event offered more than just the very best in live music. Nokia also offered music lovers several innovative ways to use their mobile phones, including the opportunity to send in messages (and a few marriage proposals!) that were displayed on screens around each stage throughout the night. Party-goers could also send messages to the other Nokia New Year's Eve cities as well as use the bluetooth "beam-zones" on site to receive a host of free content including wallpapers, links, gig guides, ringtones and artist content.

Estimated Total Television and Internet Audience of 150 Million

Those unable to watch their favorite artists in person were able to view performances from the five Nokia New Year's Eve events via a global television broadcast, as well as online at www.nokianewyearseve.com. An additional global television program of musical highlights will be broadcast on January 1. To orchestrate this enormous global celebration, Nokia enlisted the services of Harvey Goldsmith CBE, the producer of Live Aid and Live8. The estimated total television and Internet audience is expected to be more than 150 million.

"With more than 2 million music lovers celebrating with us in person, and more than 150 million television and Internet viewers, Nokia New Year's Eve was certainly the biggest New Year's party of 2006," said Jo Harlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Nokia. "Nokia New Year's Eve clearly lived up to our mission of "Connecting People" and delivered on our promise of leveraging the power of television, the internet, live events and the world's most exciting music artists to get people talking, sharing and celebrating on one incredible night. Our thanks to the artists who performed -- and the millions of people who celebrated with us in person and around the world."