BellSouth Wireless strengthens relationship w/ Ericsson for mobile Internet

BellSouth Wireless Services strengthens relationship with Ericsson to prepare network for mobile Internet BellSouth and Ericsson today announced the wireless provider's plans to strategically deploy up to 56 Ericsson AXC 627 Tigris Access Servers in 28 of BellSouth's Mobile Switching Centers throughout its footprint. The servers, part of Ericsson's Integrated Access System wireless solution, will complement a massive, ongoing upgrade of BellSouth's TDMA infrastructure by Ericsson, allowing BellSouth to offer wireless email and fax capabilities, mobile Internet access and a host of next-generation services via Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). The Tigris Access Servers will enable BellSouth's existing TDMA network to communicate directly with the Internet, without relying on other go- between networks for transport. Such a topology sets the stage for BellSouth's millions of subscribers to access web-based information or even browse websites using specially equipped mobile phones and other handheld devices. "It's an impressive, forward-thinking move by BellSouth Mobility," said Mike Thurk, president of Ericsson Datacom Inc. "By placing Tigris access servers throughout their TDMA network, rather than centralizing their Internet gateways to only a few switching centers, BellSouth is now ready to accommodate the inevitable demand for next-generation wireless services." Using Ericsson's SS7 signalling gateway technology and the Tigris servers, circuit-switched TDMA traffic from BellSouth's wireless network will be converted directly into Internet Protocol (IP) packet data, and vice versa, allowing information to flow unimpeded between the two networks. With the Ericsson access servers in place, data will traverse BellSouth Mobility's wireless network as fluently as voice traffic does today. "We are expecting tremendous demand for advanced wireless applications and services and are eager to move forward as quickly as the technology permits," said Rick Clawson, vice president engineering and operations of Bellsouth Mobility. "In fact, we will launch wireless Internet access service on our GSM networks in July of this year. This Ericsson platform is a key step in full deployment." Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Kathy Egan, Vice President, Ericsson Inc., Corporate Communications Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: kathy.egan@ericsson.com Gary Pinkham, Vice President, Ericsson Inc., Investor Relations Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: gary.pinkham@ericsson.com Paula Angel-Jones, Director Public Relations, Ericsson Datacom Inc. Phone: +1 781 505 6245; E-mail: paula.angel-jones@ericsson.com For more information on the Tigris family of servers, visit Ericsson's Datacom website at: http://www.ericsson.com/datacom Company Information BellSouth Wireless Services companies, BellSouth Mobility (BMI) and American Cellular Communications Corporation (ACC), provide wireless communications services to customers in 10 states. BMI serves customers in seven Southeastern states. ACC markets operate under a variety of names in California and Texas and as Cellular One in Indiana. BellSouth Cellular Corp. is a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS). Visit us on the Web at www.bellsouth.com/wireless. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/06/20000606BIT00950/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/06/20000606BIT00950/bit0002.pdf