Nokia wins 3G network deal with Swiss Orange

Finnish telecom equipment giant Nokia said on Tuesday it had won a 160 million euro ($144.3 million) third-generation network deal with Orange Switzerland where it would be the sole provider.

Nokia said the three-year deal would also include 240 million euros in financing over the three years.

The contract follows on the heels of four third-generation network deals last week for Nokia, which has said it aims to be the leader in 3G networks, a field which includes heavyweights like Sweden's Ericsson and Canada's Nortel .

Nokia told the press after last week's deals, which involved billions of euros in financing to Orange and Hutchison Whampoa, that the firm had most likely concluded the bulk of its vendor financing.

The firm's shares fell at the start of last week on concerns its lending to debt-heavy operators heightened Nokia's risk profile, but have since recovered with brokers and analysts saying the market was reevaluating the deals due in part to the stature of Nokia's clients.

Nokia shares were boosted by the deal and Wall Street's higher overnight close, trading up four percent at 27.88 euros on a positive Helsinki bourse in morning dealings. Nokia remains 57 percent below its June 2000 life-high of 65 euros.