Computer & Communication Industry Association
PublishedNovember 12, 2001

CCIA Applauds Industry Leaders’ Announcement of Open Mobile Architecture

Washington, DC- The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) heartily endorsed today’s announcement by Nokia and other industry leaders of a new open standard software initiative to bridge the transition to a truly mobile Internet experience, the open mobile architecture. Throughout its history, CCIA has been dedicated to preserving full, fair and open competition throughout the computer, information, and communications technology industries, which the open mobile architecture will foster.

In his keynote speech today at the annual Comdex convention in Las Vegas, Nokia Chairman and CEO Jorma Ollila announced that Nokia has joined with other telecommunications infrastructure and terminal manufacturers, operators, and software developers to launch the open mobile architecture initiative to ensure a uniform, non-fragmented, interoperable mobile Internet environment for operators, critical economies of scale for vendors and developers, and seamless and integrated services for consumers.

Ed Black, President and CEO of CCIA applauded the announcement: “The information and communications technology industry has become truly global and needs truly global solutions to meet consumer demand. Unlimited, anywhere, any device access to the Internet and online service offerings is now critically important. Open mobile architecture’s reliance on open standards and interfaces will create the opportunity for the innovations of the entire industry to flourish, to the ultimate benefit of consumers and economies worldwide.”

Black continued, “As Nokia’s Chairman, Jorma Ollila., said, ‘Success can only be achieved if we adhere to open standards and platforms and keep the real needs of people and business firmly in our sights. No one company can control the market, but through open technologies, mobile software becomes a market where there is a place for everyone.’ We couldn’t agree more.”

According to Nokia, the open mobile architecture will provide infrastructure suppliers, IT companies, content providers and developers with open API’s, tools and community support. Some of the key technologies for the creation of the mobile services market will include Multimedia Messaging (MMS), XHTML, Java, and SyncML, with the Symbian OS as the sound platform for the development of advanced mobile terminals.

Additional supporters and elements of the open mobile architecture are expected to be unveiled during the coming months.