Virgin Mobile USA and Nokia Team Up for the First Time in the United States Market

[November 17, 2004]

Virgin Mobile USA and Nokia Team Up for the First Time in the United States Market

IRVING, Texas, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nokia and Virgin Mobile USA, LLC today announced that the two companies intend to work together to introduce a Nokia CDMA handset through Virgin Mobile's retail channels in early 2005. This collaboration marks the first time these two industry-leading brands have come together in the United States market.

"By putting the Nokia and Virgin Mobile names together, we will leverage the strength of two of the world's best known and most recognized brands," said Tim Eckersley, senior vice president for Nokia. "We think that the addition of Nokia's award-winning design and user-friendly operation to Virgin Mobile's strong retail marketing and 'Pay As You Go' value proposition will result in a truly compelling offering."
Nokia first entered the CDMA handset market in 1992, and today many of the largest CDMA carriers in the world, including the two largest CDMA operators in the US, offer Nokia's CDMA handsets. After previous launches in the United Kingdom and Australia, Virgin Mobile entered the US market in 2002, and today its products are available at more than 20,000 locations including Best Buy, Target, Wal*Mart and, of course, Virgin Megastores. Virgin Mobile focuses exclusively on the youth market and offers all of its customers access to VirginXtras -- a suite of fun-filled applications, which includes exclusive content from *MTV, Comedy Central content, Superphonic (a.k.a real-music) ringtones and more. Its 3G customers also have access to VirginXL, the high octane version of VirginXtras, with picture messaging and downloadable games.
"Virgin Mobile and Nokia are both world-class brands," said Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA. "By combining the marketing strength of our respective teams, we are confident that we will deliver a product that will truly resonate with and engage young wireless users."
About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC
Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC has redefined and set the pace for the entire prepaid wireless category. More than two million wireless users have chosen Virgin Mobile's Pay As You Go service with no contracts and no hidden fees. In addition, J.D. Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" under its Certified Call Center Program(SM).
The nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. It is the first wireless provider to focus exclusively on the needs and desires of the youth. All Virgin Mobile customers have access to VirginXtras -- a host of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including exclusive content from strategic partner MTV: Music Television. Customers with 3G-enabled phones also have access to VirginXL - the high-octane version of VirginXtras featuring picture messaging, downloadable games and more.
Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on the Web at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/; at 888-322-1122; or, at more than 20,000 locations, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, Coconuts, CompUSA, F.Y.E., Media Play, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Strawberries, Target Stores, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. Top-Up cards are also available at more than 50,000 locations, including Circle K, CVS and 7-Eleven stores.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges.
Nokia; Virgin Mobile USA

CONTACT: Nokia Americas: Media Relations, +1-972-894-4573,communication.corp@nokia.com; Faye Nikolaidis of CooperKatz for Virgin MobileUSA, +1-212-455-8078, fnikolaidis@cooperkatz.com

Web site: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/

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