DNA to deploy new technology and more base stations in its 3G network

DNA's 3G network, which already covers more than 5 million users in Finland, will be expanded further. The recent additions to DNA's 3G network were located in the following regions in Finland:

In North Ostrobothnia, a province in northern Finland: City of Oulu, the town of Raahe and the municipalities of Liminka and Haukipudas
In Oulu, several new 3G base stations were built, with locations in the following neighbourhoods: Kiviharjuntie, Taskila, Kiviharju (on Oulunlahdentie Road) and Itäpatela. In the municipality of Liminka, the 3G network was expanded in Tupos; in the town of Raahe, on Laivakankaantie Road. In Haukipudas, the network was expanded in Runteli and Ritalinnokka.

In Kymenlaakso, a province in south-eastern Finland: Town of Kotka
In Kotka, three new base stations were built on Allintie Road and in the neighbourhoods of Hakalanmäki and Hovisaari.

In Uusimaa, a province in southern Finland: City of Helsinki, the city of Vantaa and the town of Porvoo
In Helsinki, new 3G base stations were built on Kutomotie Road, on Riskutie Road, in Sakarinkatu Street and on Soittajantie Road. In Vantaa, the new base station locations are on Kallioruohonpolku Alley, Kielotie Road and Vaunukalliontie Road. In Porvoo, DNA built two new base stations; one in Saksala, the other in Myllymäki.

In Kanta-Häme, a province in southern Finland: City of Hämeenlinna and the municipality of Janakkala
In Hämeenlinna, substantial network expansions were made, as the following base stations, previously transmitting only on the 3G frequency, were expanded to use the 900 MHz band: Ahvenisto, Aulanko, Kahilisto, Kauriala, Keskuskoulu School, Ojoinen in Puhelinkatu Street, Ojoistenkatu Street, VanajaIVO area, Hätilä School, Kettumäki, Hallituskatu Street, Hämeentie Street, Katumantie Street, Käikälä, Karhuntie Street, Raatihuoneenkatu Street, Jäähalli Ice Stadium, Viisari, Ratasniitty, Luolaja, Logistics Center, Jukola, Loimalahti, in Kaivokatu Street, Luolkoulu, Punaportti, Mummunmäki, Papinniitty, Tiiriö, Turuntie Street and Moreeni. In the municipality of Janakkala, a new 3G base station was constructed in Pukalinkallio.

In South Karelia, a province in south-eastern Finland: Town of Lappeenranta and the municipality of Parikkala
In Lappeenranta, the 3G network was expanded in Mattila, Myllymäki and Kivisalmi. In Parikkala, the most recent addition to the3G network is now in Hyppyrimäenkatu Street.

In Varsinais-Suomi, a province in south-eastern Finland: City of Turku, the town of Naantali and the municipality of Lieto
In Turku, a new 3G base station was constructed in Papinsaari; in Naantali, in the Keitilä neighborhood; in Lieto, in the Linnavuori area.

In Satakunta, a province in southern Finland: Town of Rauma
A new 3G base station was constructed in Hakunintie Road.

In Päijät-Häme, a province in southern Finland: City of Lahti
In Päijät-Häme, the network was expanded in the neighbourhood of Polttimo, Lahti.

In Pirkanmaa, a province in south-western Finland: Municipality of Juupajoki
In Pirkanmaa, DNA expanded the network in Muhu, Juupajoki.

In Lapland: Town of Kemi
A new 3G base station was constructed in Pankokatu Street, Kemi.

In Central Finland, a province in central Finland: Town of Jyväskylä
In the town of Jyväskylä, a new base station was built in Ahjonkatu Street.

In Central Ostrobothnia, a province in western Finland: Town of Kokkola
In Central Ostrobothnia, DNA expanded its network in the Heinolankaari neighbourhood, Kokkola.

In Hämeenlinna, DNA now utilises some of the most sophisticated network technology in the world

Launched in Hämeenlinna in early September this year, DNA´s software-based implementation of MultiStandard Radio mixed mode technology is the first implementation of its kind in the world, as far as DNA is aware.

- From the user's point of view, MultiStandard Radio mixed mode technology means that connections are more stable, because a single base station is able to transmit both 2G and 3G traffic. This means that subscribers no longer move out of 3G coverage, even if they are travelling outside metropolitan areas; instead, subscribers are able to maintain coverage via base stations that previously served only 2G traffic. Within the new network, subscribers using the new 3G terminal have 3G coverage at all times, comments Antti Jokinen , production director at DNA.

- We introduced the 4G test network and the newest 3G technology first to Hämeenlinna and now, after the upgrades, all our base stations in Hämeenlinna use 1 Gbit optical fibre for transmission connections. In addition, we have replaced our radio-wave equipment with the most modern technology available, declares Jokinen.

Besides constructing new 3G base stations, last summer DNA expanded a speed-boosting technology, known as DC-HSPA+, to cover more than 300 base stations. During the autumn and winter months, DC-HSPA+ will be further expanded to cover additional regions in Finland. In addition,

DNA's innovative and highly successful network strategy was awarded at an annual ceremony of the IBC tradeshow, the leading global broadcasting event of its kind in the world. DNA was awarded for its implementation of the terrestrial high-definition network, based on an existing network of cellular phone antennas. Previous winners include Sony and FIFA.

More information for the media:

Antti Jokinen, Production Director, DNA Ltd, tel. +358 44 721 2544 , antti.jokinen@dna.fi

DNA Corporate Communications: Helena Sukuvaara, Communications Manager, DNA Ltd, tel. +358 44 044 4201, helena.sukuvaara@dna.fi

DNA Ltd is a Finnish telecommunications company providing high-quality, state-of-the-art voice, data and mobile communications and TV services to private customers, corporations and other organisations. DNA Group's turnover was EUR 690 million and its profit EUR 65 million in 2010. DNA has over 3 million mobile communications and fixed networks customer contracts. For further information, please visit www.dna.fi.