AT&T Wireless & Ericsson create overlay system to boost capacity

AT&T Wireless and Ericsson create overlay system to boost capacity in high traffic markets In response to the tremendous increase in demand for wireless services, Ericsson and AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (AWS) have created an overlay network that increases network capacity by adding new radio hardware and making efficient use of available spectrum. This is the first application of its kind for AWS. The network currently serves customers in the heavily populated Miami market and will serve as a prototype for use in AWS' other high-density markets. The overlay system combines service on both the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. This dual-band approach will boost network capacity by automatically directing calls involving multi-band terminals to the band with the best level of service at the time. Users of single-band terminals will also benefit from the overall increased capacity of the system. AWS has installed Ericsson 1900 MHz radio base stations in 12 of the Miami area's most heavily used cell sites, each of which also contains Ericsson 850 MHz equipment. In addition, Ericsson switching system software has been upgraded to add significant call-handling capacity. No additional switch hardware is necessary. "Creative rate plans such as the Digital One Rate have brought wireless communications to an entire new realm of users," said Bo Dimert, Ericsson Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer. "Ericsson is totally committed to working with its wireless customers to position them for the next growth curve in wireless data." "The demand for AT&T's wireless voice and data services is quite high as we add hundreds of thousands of new customers each month," said Greg Slemons, Executive Vice President for Wireless Network Services at AWS. "Since the amount of spectrum to carry calls is limited, we need to seek new ways to increase capacity with technology. We intend to monitor any and all new technologies that will help us create more room for wireless calls on our network." Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Kathy Egan, Vice President Corporate Communications, Ericsson Inc. Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: kathy.egan@ericsson.com Eric Österberg, Communications Director Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 590 0599; E-mail: eric.osterberg@lme.ericsson.se Company Information AT&T Corp. is the world's premier communications and information services company, serving more than 90 million customers, including consumers, businesses and government. The company has annual revenues of more than USD 52 billion and 130,000 employees. It runs the world's largest, most sophisticated communications network and is the leading provider of long- distance and wireless services. AT&T operates in more than 200 countries around the world.