PRESS RELEASE
August 8, 1996
d-box puts satellite reception into new dimension

More sophisticated interactive satellite television options are available thanks to the launch of the d-box.
Developed by Nokia and Beta Technik, this combined satellite receiver and communications centre is the first step in bringing multimedia into the living room.

This advanced yet easy to use device can be used for both interactive television and as a communications centre. A range of applications include connection to a CD-ROM player for watching films and other interactive pursuits as well as the ability to be linked to a computer. The boundaries between traditional TV entertainment and the computing are well and truly broken.
German viewers are already benefiting from this sophisticated device. As a result of the agreement between the Kirch group and Nokia, quantities of d-box were available for the launch of new satellite services on 28th July, 1996. The equipment is compatible with current digital video satellite broadcast standards known as DVB/MPEG 2.
Distributed via the ASTRA satellite, the service began with historic coverage of the Formula 1 race at Hockenheim. Subscribers were able to use their interactive TV to selected various camera shots of the race eventually won by Damon Hill in a Williams Renault.
Initial demand was such that 40,000 telephone calls were received following the official launch from those seeking to buy the new unit.
When new services come on stream, the d-box can be updated via satellite. Owe Toernqvist, Vice President of Nokia Multimedia Network Terminals says," As the merger between the television entertainment world and that of the computer is becoming reality, this development clearly shows our commitment to the very demanding market requirements."
The d-box has already won two awards:- The IF design award for good industrial design (CE-Bit '96,Hannover) and finalist in the category Most Innovative Cable/Satellite Telecommunications Product/Application (Cable & Satellite Exhibition, London 1996).

Nokia has built a new production facility at Motala in Sweden and an additional 300 people have been employed to meet the growing demand for digital 'set top boxes' world-wide.

Nokia Multimedia Network Terminals is a leading supplier of analogue receivers/decoders and digital interactive terminals for Direct-to-Home and cable TV systems. It is part of the Finland based Nokia Group which has 32,000 employees world-wide and net sales of USD 8,400 million in 1995.

For more information contact:
Pekka Kuusela,
Vice president, Sales & Marketing
Nokia Multimedia Network Terminals
Phone:+49 234 956 2173, Fax: +49 234 9562205

or
Dr. Christian Heintz, Key accout manager
Nokia Multimedia Network Terminals
Phone: +49 211 908 95 469, Fax: +49 211 62 46 41