Nokia and Sanyo today announced a preliminary agreement to set up a global joint venture in 3G cell phones. The new entity will operate in the spirit of partnership and have major operations in San Diego, USA as well as Osaka and Tottori, Japan.

Nokia brings to this partnership the strength of its world-renowned brand, demand supply expertise, a solid entry-level and mid-range CDMA mobile phones product portfolio and well-established relations with over 60 CDMA carrier customers around the globe. Sanyo has a leadership position in mid-range and high-end CDMA handsets and maintains strong relationships with CDMA operators in Japan and North America.

"Meeting and exceeding our customers' expectations is the key priority that drives Nokia every day," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and Chief Operations Officer, Nokia. "We identified this new entity as the best way to create an attractive CDMA phone portfolio for our customers with the widest possible product offering at the high-end, mid-range and entry levels. We estimate that the creation of this separate, associated company will provide Nokia with financial benefits from start. It also offers both parties timely access to R&D competencies that complement their own internal strategies."

Sanyo's President, Toshimasa Iue said, "In addition to making possible the supply of even better products to our current customers, this new company will also lead to raising our position in the global market." He added, "I am confident that integrating Nokia's strong brand with Sanyo's ability to meet the markets needs will lead to the building of a very strong partnership in the CDMA industry."

Final agreements are expected to be signed in the second quarter of 2006, with the new business expected to commence operations in the third quarter 2006, provided that the due diligence has been completed and all necessary regulatory approvals obtained.