Mercedes-Benz, NEC, Siemens Mobile and SingTel Mobile Jointly Premiere the First 3G-UMTS Services Car in Asia-Pacific

Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 14, 2003 - (JCN Newswire) - Mercedes-Benz, NEC,
Siemens mobile and SingTel Mobile jointly showcase the first car with
integrated 3G-UMTS services worldwide. This industry-first 3G-UMTS car
made its debut in Berlin, Germany recently and is presented in
Asia-Pacific for the very first time.

In a specially fitted Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the partners demonstrate a
comprehensive portfolio of multimedia services which has become possible
through the use of the broadband 3G-UMTS mobile phone standard, based on
Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA).

The 3G-UMTS services in the test vehicle cover a broad range of mobility
and infotainment services. In addition to live video conferencing
capabilities between two parties, there is high-speed video-streaming,
which facilitates heavier email downloads and video-on-demand. Other
applications include an interactive City Guide, broadband access to the
various partners' portals and the Internet, a video monitoring system,
access to traffic observation cameras international radio and a
multi-player soccer game. The off-board navigation system includes
location guide and routing and traffic information in part with video
support.

The unique 3G-UMTS vehicle marks a breakthrough in mobile data
applications for businesses as well as entertainment and information
offered with video support. Content is transferred to the 3G-UMTS
vehicle at an average transmission rate of 256 kBit/s. UMTS allows a
maximum bandwidth in the vehicle of 384 kBit/s, up to six times the
normal dial-up speeds. The future vision of live video and music
downloads, video telephony and the ingenious off-board navigation
system, which uses up-to-date cartographic data via UMTS for destination
finding, has become reality.

The experience offered by this 3G-UMTS car showcase underlines the
innovation and leadership of the partners in their respective industry,
and will support their efforts to establish their 3G-UMTS business model
and to develop future 3G services.

Mercedes-Benz equipped the UMTS test vehicle with the appropriate
operating units and monitors and the link to the car infrastructure and
the specification of the UMTS services. "The UMTS test vehicle already
created huge public interest at its first presentation in Berlin some
months ago. It helps us today to create the necessary expertise to
satisfy the demand of our customers for mobile UMTS services of the
future",says Frank Messer, President & CEO of DaimlerChrysler South East
Asia.

NEC provides the entire solution for the UMTS radio network to the
world. In Singapore, NEC has been working with Siemens Mobile through
the strategic alliance in the 3G business arena in establishing the UMTS
infrastructure in the current test 3G network in the CBD (Central
Business District) area since 2001. "The advent of 3G will lead to many
new business opportunities and, apparently, this 3G-UMTS car is one of
them," said Ben Nakamura, Senior Vice President of NEC Corporation. "NEC
is the industry leader in the 3G area supplying commercial
infrastructure and handsets for the very first phase of 3G rollout in
the world. New solution utilising 3G applications such as 3G-UMTS car
will accelerate the expansion of 3G. NEC will fully support this project
with our extensive technical know-how and expertise in the 3G and mobile
Internet field as well as the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
field."

The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile)
supplies the entire technology for the UMTS core network and
participates in the development and implementation of the UMTS
applications for the test vehicle. "Worldwide Siemens mobile is one of
the three leading suppliers for 3G-UMTS infrastructure. Through this
demonstration, Siemens is aligning itself fully to 3G- UMTS, the new
generation in mobile telecommunications," commented Mr Thomas
Frischmuth, Managing Director, Siemens Pte Ltd. "And we are pleased that
we can present, together with our partners here today, innovative new
ways to deliver 3G-UMTS services and demonstrate UMTS technology's
versatility and adaptability."

SingTel Mobile provided the customisation and localisation of the
applications and content for the 3G-UMTS car showcase. It also undertook
the provisioning of the local telecommunications infrastructure.

Said Mr Lucas Chow, Chief Executive Officer, SingTel Mobile: "Even as we
work towards a 3G network rollout, it is important for our customers to
see the potential benefits of having faster, more wide-ranging and more
innovative applications as promised by a broadband, high-speed wireless
network.

"The 3G-UTMS car showcase today is an excellent example of how we are
leveraging convergence across all broadband access platforms to provide
our customers with seamless access to an entire suite of services and
applications anywhere and anytime ... even when you are on the move."

SingTel worked with BMG Singapore Pte Ltd, and Zomba Records (APRO) Pte
Ltd to provide the music videos, and Landmat International to provide
the CityGuide available in the 3G-UMTS car for the Singapore showcase.
MediaCorp also provided the Traffic Cam information and Channel 5
content for the Live TV application.

The UMTS S-Class is a pure test vehicle and was equipped especially for
this purpose with in-car PCs, with two flip-up 15-inch TFT monitors
recessed into the seat backs and wireless keyboards for the use of the
3G-UMTS services in the rear. In a user-friendly way via an inbuilt
touchscreen monitor the driver and front seat passenger can access
services such as a navigation. In addition, a live video of recent
traffic situations on the route is provided, but switched off
automatically above a speed of 6 km/h for safety reasons. The operating
elements, user interfaces and interaction processes in the test vehicle
were developed exclusively for the demonstration of the possible UMTS
services. They do not correspond with the requirements of a future UMTS
solution for serial production of any Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Here
DaimlerChrysler attaches the highest level of priority to mature
technology and an optimum design of the Man-Machine-Interface (MMI) to
rule out any distraction of the driver.


About UMTS

UMTS is a part of the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU)
'IMT-2000' vision of a global family of third generation (3G) mobile
communications systems. As the preferred mobile delivery platform for
tomorrow's content rich services and applications, UMTS will play a key
role in fueling a mass market demand for high-quality wireless
multimedia communications by enabling the delivery of high-value
broadband information, commerce and entertainment services to mobile
users via fixed, wireless and satellite networks. Pictures, graphics,
video communications and other wide-band information, as well as voice
and data can now be delivered directly to people on the move. 

About DaimlerChrysler

DaimlerChrysler is one of the world's leading automotive, transportation
and services companies. Its passenger car brands include Mercedes-Benz,
Maybach, Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and smart. Commercial vehicles are
produced under the brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western
Star, Setra, Thomas Built Buses, Orion and American LaFrance. It offers
financial and other services through DaimlerChrysler Services. With
372.500 employees, DaimlerChrysler achieved revenues of Euro 112.6
billion (US$ 111.2 billion) for the period of January to September 2002.
DaimlerChrysler today has a global workforce, a global shareholder base,
a global brand awareness and a global outlook. 
DaimlerChrysler's strategy rests on four pillars: Global Presence,
Strong Brands, Broad Product Range, and Technology Leadership.

About Siemens Information and Communication Mobile 

The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile) 
offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices,
infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless
modules, mobile organizers and cordless phones as well as products for
wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes GSM, GPRS
and 3G mobile network technologies from base stations and switching
systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Mobile
Applications cover end-to-end solutions for Messaging, Location Based
Services or Mobile Payment. For fiscal 2002 (September 30), Siemens
mobile recorded sales of EUR 11 billion and employed approximately
28,600 people worldwide. You can access further information about
Siemens mobile on the Internet at http://www.siemens-mobile.com

About SingTel

SingTel is Asia's leading communications company with a comprehensive
portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed,
wireless and Internet platforms. Serving both the corporate and
residential markets, SingTel is committed to bringing the best of global
communications to its customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond. SingTel
has extensive interests in submarine cable and satellite systems,
including its co-owned ST-1 satellite and the pan-Asian C2C cable
network. Its infrastructure development strategy is to ensure that its
networks remain modern and efficient, and continue to meet the needs of
its customers.

The SingTel Group has expanded into overseas markets, with investments
in many countries and territories. In Australia, its wholly-owned
subsidiary, SingTel Optus is a leader in integrated communications --
serving more than five million customers. The Group's major investments
include Advanced Info Service of Thailand, the Bharti Telecom Group of
India, Globe Telecom of the Philippines and Telkomsel of Indonesia.
SingTel has been recognised Best Asian Telecom Operator by industry
publication, TelecomAsia, for five consecutive years since 1998. The
Group's turnover for the year ended 31 March 2002 was S$7.34 billion
(US$4.02 billion). More information can be found @ www.singtel.com.



About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation (FTSE: 6701q.1) is one of
the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and
enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs
of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of the
world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored
solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron
devices, through its three market-focused, in-house companies: NEC
Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron Devices. NEC Corporation
employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of
approximately $39 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2002.For
further information, please visit the NEC Corporation home page at:
www.nec.com <http://www.nec.com>