Original press release
Nokia unveils microportable with mobile data capabilities
Nokia Mobile Phones Inc. to market Nokia 121 9.7 oz. cellular
telephone that can send, receive data and facsimile
Product Announcement
Mobile Phone News, Dec 7, 1992
Making mobile data capabilities more convenient for the cellular user, Nokia Mobile Phones'
new Nokia 121 microportable cellular phone allows users to send and to receive data and
facsimile via cellular transmission. At 9.7 ounces, the phone has an advanced feature package
that allows in-car use and an optional Cellular Notebook Link (Link) designed to provide
datafax ca abilities. The Link connects the Nokia 121 to Compaq notebook and portable personal
computers. Scheduled for January release, the Nokia 121 has a one-year
warranty and a suggested list price of $799.
Additionally, Nokia is marketing a private label version of the phone, the PT128, that
will be available to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and resellers. The PT128 has
the same feature set as the Nokia 121 but carries a three-year warranty and includes a
desktop rapid charger. The PT128's suggested list price is $899.
The 121 will be available in different electronic configurations to support the
Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Total Access Communications Systems (TACS)
and Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) analog cellular standards.
...Car Kit Features Allow Versatility
When used in a vehicle, an auto answer function allows the Nokia 121
automatically to answer the phone after a preset number of rings.
If this feature is not selected, users can answer calls by touching
any key--not just the SEND key. An optional voice recognition dialer
permits hands-free call initiation and operation. The voice sensor
recognizes two different voices and has a capacity for 50 names per
user in memory. A car-radio mute feature automatically silences the
car-radio volume when a call is received.
...Cellular Notebook Link Provides Cellular Datafax Capabilities
Nokia 121 owners can access cellular datafax capabilities by purchasing an
optional Cellular Notebook Link. The Cellular Notebook Link consists of an
intelligent cable that links the 121 with any Compaq SpeedPAQ 144 Modem
equipped Compaq computer. The modem and the phone are designed to send and
to receive data and fax transmissions via the cellular network.
The Cellular Notebook Link is a coiled cable with a quick-release data cradle
that holds the phone while in the fax/data mode. When used with the Compaq
SpeedPAQ 144 modem, the Link transmits data at a carrier speed of 4,800 bps.
When used with data compression, data throughput of more than 11,000 bps can
be achieved. The Link sends and receives fax transmissions at 9,600 bps.
This design eliminates the separate interface box required in most
mobile data installations, Nokia said.
Additionally, the phone's design lowers the cost of mobile computing
because an external battery is not needed. The cellular phone's battery
and the computer's internal power source work together to support the interface.
Battery life for the 121--using the standard 380-mAh battery--provides 45
minutes of talk time and 11 hours' standby.
An extended-life nickel-metal hydride battery provides 120 minutes
of talk time and 24 hours' standby. Five charging options are available,
including rapid travel, desktop and cigarette-lighter models that charge
the standard battery in 30 minutes.
...Nokia Receives Argentina Contract
In a separate action, Nokia received a contract to furnish hand held cellular
telephones to the Argentine network operator Movicom, a company jointly owned by
BellSouth International, Motorola and local Argentinean investors.
The multimillion dollar agreement calls for Nokia to provide several
thousand portable cellular phones for use in the Buenos Aires metropolitan market.
Nokia will supply its Nokia 101 microportable phone and its new private label
PT128 microportable phone, which is based on the NAMPS enhanced analog transmission standard.
The Nokia phones will have a Spanish LCD display and easy-to-use menu systems that
will allow users to control all functions of the phone using Spanish commands.
In addition, users will be provided Spanish language training materials and user manuals.