DNA delivers 4G speeds to half of Finns

DNA conducted 4G tests in the autumn, which showed that people wish 4G will offer tools for mobile telecommuting and entertainment, most of all. Insofar as entertainment is concerned, fast speeds are required for various kinds of video games and HD video.

- As we expand our coverage areas, we want to emphasise uniformity and areas in which consumers and companies feel high-quality communications connections are of the utmost importance. Customers can easily access the 4G network and maintain speeds even if moving in different parts of the coverage area, Tiuraniemi says.

4G speeds are created by means of two technologies supporting each other, LTE and Dual Carrier (DC), of which 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) can achieve speeds of up to 100 Mbps. DNA has the most comprehensive base station network with regard to both Dual Carrier and LTE. Fast fibre- and cable-based broadbands will maintain their position alongside 4G, but 4G will replace slow ADSL broadband in the long term.

The DNA mobile network is implemented in partnership Ericsson, the world's leading network expert.

- According to Ericsson's consumer surveys, the quality of mobile broadband networks is the most significant factor influencing customer loyalty. When doing everyday things via a mobile network, network coverage and data download speeds are the deciding factors. DNA is a worldwide forerunner in both the utilisation of new technologies and the quality of service provided to customers, says Olli Sirkka, CEO of Ericsson Finland.

4G speeds throughout the country

At the moment, 4G speeds are being created using both technologies in the Turku and Tampere economic regions and in Hämeenlinna and the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Dual Carrier technology has been implemented in these areas since last spring. In addition, extensive 4G LTE coverage has been constructed in the areas; this coverage will extend to cover the entire cities during early 2012. The network is being constantly developed by means of new technology, base stations and expansions of capacity.

In addition to the above, DNA has been implementing Dual Carrier technology throughout Finland. This technology will yield good speeds in cities such as Lappeenranta, Seinäjoki, Savonlinna, Kajaani, Hämeenlinna, Kotka, Kouvola, Hamina, Rovaniemi, Vaasa, Oulu, Kuopio and Joensuu. Lahti and Pori both have strong 4G Dual Carrier coverage.

DNA 4G will first be available for DNA Pro subscriptions. New DNA 4G Pro subscriptions are available as of today. The first 4G LTE phones will come to market in January. Mobile 4G Mokkula modems will be included in DNA's range of products as soon as sufficiently high-quality devices become available.

For further information, please contact:
Riitta Tiuraniemi, CEO, DNA Ltd, tel. +358 (0)290 996 201, riitta.tiuraniemi@dna.fi
Pekka Väisänen, Vice President, Consumer Business, DNA Ltd, tel. +358 400 0400 168, pekka.vaisanen@dna.fi
Olli Sirkka, CEO, Ericsson Finland, tel. +358 44 299 3062, olli.sirkka@ericsson.com

DNA Corporate Communications, tel. +358 44 044 8000, viestinta@dna.fi

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

Ericsson is a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment and services to mobile and fixed network operators. As the market leader in second-, third- and fourth-generation mobile phone networks, Ericsson provides communications solutions and supports networks that provide services to more than two billion users worldwide. Ericsson is the leading provider of managed services for networks. The company's range of products covers wireless and fixed-network systems and applications as well as broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, companies and the media sector. The joint ventures Sony Ericsson and ST-Ericsson produce diverse mobile devices for consumer's personal communications needs.

Ericsson realises its vision of a "communicating world" by providing future communications solutions and technology that supports sustainable development. Ericsson employs more than 90,000 employees in 180 countries; in 2010 the company's turnover amounted to EUR 28.2 billion (SEK 203.3 billion). Founded in 1876, the company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and it is listed on the Stockholm NASDAQ OMX and the NASDAQ in New York.