Orange Sweden becomes a partner in 3G Infrastructure Services AB

Orange Sweden becomes a partner in 3G Infrastructure Services AB The two Swedish mobile operators, Hi3G and Europolitan Vodafone, have decided to build and operate common infrastructure for third-generation mobile telephony, UMTS, outside the major urban areas. This will be built and operated by the jointly owned company, 3G Infrastructure Services AB, and will be integrated with the operators' respective infrastructure, currently being built separately by both operators in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Karlskrona. Orange Sverige (Sweden) is now becoming a joint-owner of 3G Infrastructure Services AB. This implies enhanced cost-efficiency in the network rollout, as well as fewer masts and thus less impact on the environment. The agreement stipulates that the three corporations are equal partners in 3GIS. It is consistent with the Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency's guidelines and license stipulations and is also subject to approval by the relevant authorities. Commenting, Jan Edhäll, 3G Infrastructure Services AB's CEO, said: "We take a very positive view of Orange Sweden becoming a partner in 3GIS, and that we can build a joint infrastructure for the three operators, further consolidating our ambition to utilise infrastructure cost- efficiently with retained high quality. Our working partnership means that fewer masts and antennas will be needed, since all three partners will be sharing the equipment. For more information, please contact: Jan Edhäll, Managing Director, 3G Infrastructure Services AB, Tel.: +46 8 410 17 300, e-mail: jan.edhall@3gis.net 3G Infrastructure Services AB was formed in April 2001 by Hi3G and Europolitan Vodafone. The company's objective is to build and operate the infrastructure that will enable operators to offer their customers UMTS-based mobile services outside Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Karlskrona. When the rollout is completed, 70 per cent of the Swedish population will have access to faster communication via the company's infrastructure, which will be integrated with the operators' respective networks. 3G Infrastructure Services AB is undergoing strong growth and plans to have a staff of 100 by the end of the year. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/01/15/20020115BIT00950/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/01/15/20020115BIT00950/bit0002.pdf