For a few days ago i wrote about the operator 3 and the updgrade on their mobile network from 7.2mbit to 21mbit, and here is the Press Release.

Ericsson and 3 Scandinavia have signed a contract to upgrade the operator's HSPA network to 21 Mbps downlink speeds. This will raise mobile broadband speeds in Scandinavia to a new level by dramatically improving quality and capacity.

The upgrade will give 3's customers improved access to mobile broadband services, including Internet and downloading of music and video.

Peder Ramel, CEO of 3 Scandinavia says: "We were the first to launch Turbo 3G in the Nordic region and now we are proud to be one of the first operators in the world to offer a speed of 21Mbps. Ericsson's leading technology will help us boost competitiveness and reach our goal of bringing high-quality communications to our customers."

Mikael Bäckström, President of Ericsson Nordic and Baltic region, says: "With the upgrade to 21Mbps, 3 is one of the first operators to offer customers new and richer services at this speed. We are proud to contribute to 3's great ambition to launch high-speed mobile broadband services in Scandinavia."

Ericsson will provide the enhanced speed in selected parts of the network in Sweden and Denmark. Ericsson and 3 will continue to extend network coverage and upgrade to higher mobile broadband speeds throughout 2009. The commercial launch is planned for the first half of 2009.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver radio base stations, RBS6000, enhanced core network features and a mobile backhaul including Redback SmartEdge 1200, Marconi OMS 1400 and MINI-LINK TN.

Neonode, the mobile communication company that develops touch screen technologies and designs mobile handsets, announced that, on December 9, 2008, its Swedish subsidiary, Neonode AB, filed a petition for bankruptcy. Mr. Hans Öden of the Stockholm- based Ackordscentralen AB, a consultancy firm specialized in insolvency, was appointed by the district court of Stockholm to administrate the process.

Per Bystedt, CEO and Chairman of Neonode, Inc. comments, "For the past six months we have focused on turning the business around and solving the financial situation of Neonode AB. We continue to have great belief in our technology and believe we have a competitive product in the Neonode N2 but without sufficient funds we cannot continue operations."

Neonode AB has, together with its American parent company, Neonode Inc., taken a number of measures to attempt to restructure and refinance Neonode AB's operations. On October 22, 2008 Neonode AB filed for reconstruction in accordance with the Swedish reorganization act (1996:764).

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The English telecom giant Vodafone offered 239 million Swedish kronor for the Swedish company Wayfinder GPS. The Board of Directors, with CEO Magnus Nilsson, recommends that the bid is accepted.
Vodafone offers 12 Kronor (1.5$) per share in Wayfinder, a total of 239 million kronor (30million $). That is about 253 percent over the company's share value at the close of stock market last night.

[Via]

The operator Three in Sweden announces in a press release today that they has started to build out its 3G network with the so called Evolved HSPA, which provides download speeds for data at 21 Mbps, and higher capacity in the network. Commercial launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2009.

Sonim Technologies announced today that it will embark on a partnership with Land Rover, which includes the launch of co-branded mobile phone products as well as an eco-friendly packaging. Land Rover, recognising adventurers' desire for a full roster of mobile and durable products, engaged Sonim to become its licensing partner for a line of rugged cell phones that are designed to compliment the lifestyle of the outdoor adventurer.

Two co-branded phones will enter the market by mid-2009 - the Land Rover S1 by Sonim and Land Rover S2 G4 by Sonim. This will be followed later in the year by the launch of a third Land Rover phone. Sonim and Land Rover will co-market the phones to top operators, mobile retailers and consumers in a staggering 40 countries.

"In less than two years, Sonim has set the bar for engineering best-in-class rugged mobile phones for people who work and play in extreme environments," said Bob Plaschke, Sonim's Chief Executive Officer. "We are delighted to be partnering with Land Rover on this range of rugged mobile phones."

"Land Rover recognises that our customers' needs extend beyond the driver's seat," added Lindsay Weaver, Land Rover Global Licensing Manager. "Sonim and Land Rover are ideal partners in this effort, as both companies thrive on ingenuity, craftsmanship and durability."

Land Rover and Sonim share a brand spirit: products fit for purpose. The Land Rover phones will be submersible, Bluetooth-compliant and certified to withstand salt, fog, humidity, transport and thermal shock and a 1.6-metre drop to concrete from any angle. To deliver further against Sonim and Land Rover's distinctive marketplace proposition, the partners engaged iconic designer Scott Wilson, to develop the product lines.

As a natural extension of Sonim and Land Rover's commitment to sustainability, the phones packaging forms a long-lasting re-useable rugged water resistant protective case. This is made from XENOY, a revolutionary post-consumer plastic derived mostly from used plastic bottles and film.

Nokia announced today that Research In Motion (RIM) has renewed a multi-year patent license agreement. The agreement covers the worldwide use of standards essential patents for GSM, WCDMA and CDMA2000 technologies. The financial terms of the agreement consist of an up-front payment and on-going royalties payable to Nokia.

'Today's announcement demonstrates the success of Nokia's increased focus on patent out-licensing' said Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Intellectual Property Rights, Nokia. 'This agreement confirms Nokia's leading role in developing key technologies and the value of our patent assets'.

Nokia is the industry leader in wireless innovation and the development of GSM and WCDMA technologies. Nokia has built one of the strongest and broadest IPR portfolios in the wireless industry and since the early 1990's has invested close to EUR 35 billion in research and development. Nokia's patent portfolio includes approximately 300 GSM, 370 WCDMA and 170 CDMA2000 declared essential patent families.

Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. We make a wide range of mobile devices with services and software that enable people to experience music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games, business mobility and more. Developing and growing our offering of consumer Internet services, as well as our enterprise solutions and software, is a key area of focus. We also provide equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.

Nokia today announced that it has completed its offer to acquire Symbian Limited. All conditions to Nokia's offer to acquire Symbian Limited have been satisfied and it has received valid acceptance of greater than 99.9% of the total Symbian shares that Nokia did not already own. Symbian is the software company that develops and licenses Symbian OS, the market-leading open operating system for mobile devices.

The closing of the offer is a fundamental step in the establishment of the Symbian Foundation, announced on June 24, 2008 by Nokia, together with AT&T, LG Electronics, Motorola, NTT DOCOMO, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, ST-NXP Wireless, Texas Instruments and Vodafone. More information about the planned foundation can be found at www.symbianfoundation.org.

All Symbian employees are planned to become Nokia employees on February 1, 2009.

Emoze, the world's first free, mobile, push email service, now allows Symbian users to add their Facebook messaging in combination with any number of email messaging systems, to their favourite mobile device. Java and Windows Mobile users will have the privilege within the next few days. There is no need to purchase a sophisticated Smartphone to tap into Facebook messages on-the-move. Users can simply add Facebook to their emoze portfolio on any handset.

Instant access to read, reply and send messages, avoids the need to open the Facebook website. ‘Friends' lists are immediately on their handset, without even needing to go through an internet browser.

"We are proud to give our users an unrivalled mobile experience that lets them play a more dynamic role as a part of Facebook's 130 million strong community," said Eitan Linker, emoze CEO. "Facebook is a prime example of how social networking is changing the world and our users will not miss a trick!"

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