The NMT 450 network will continue to operate for almost eighteen months in Finland, but no new NMT 450 subscriptions will be opened after 15 August 2001. Sonera introduced the NMT 450 network in 1981.
The reason for the termination decision is the significant and continued decrease in the number of customers. A major part of the customers of the NMT 450 network have transferred to the GSM network.
At the end of July 2001, Sonera had some 46 000 NMT 450 subscriptions. Of these subscriptions, some 29 000 are in private use and less than 17 000 in corporate use. At the end of June 2001, Sonera had less than 48 000 NMT 450 subscriptions. The volume of subscriptions is, however, continually decreasing. In June 1996, Sonera had approximately 640 000 NMT 900 and NMT 450 subscriptions.
In a company press release Sonera said that it plans to focus on the development of the digital GSM network and UMTS, the 3G mobile phone network. The termination of the NMT 450 network will not have any effects on personnel numbers, the company added.
