CenturyTel selects Ericsson's MINI-LINK BAS for nation wide deployment

CenturyTel selects Ericsson's MINI-LINK BAS for nation wide deployment of LMDS network - Deployment of MINI-LINK BAS in 23 US markets CenturyTel and Ericsson have signed a breakthrough contract for North America's first true wireless broadband point to multipoint access system solution based on next generation TDMA architecture with Fast Dynamic Capacity Allocation capability. The contract further extends Ericsson's global leadership position in microwave transmission providing reliable, scaleable carrier class solutions. "The selection of MINI-LINK BAS was due to Ericsson's production capability, reliable platform and unique ability to provide bandwidth on demand to the end users," says Douglas Bieniek, General Manager for CenturyTel's broadband services. "With the rapid growth in need for broadband services that we see from our customers, selecting MINI-LINK BAS was easy. The MINI-LINK BAS architecture provided the ability to cost effectively mix voice, data and Internet services for our customers." CenturyTel will deploy Ericsson's MINI-LINK BAS point to multipoint system in 23 markets throughout the United States. The initial deployment will support our Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) initiative. "The CenturyTel contract is Ericsson's first commercial LMDS contract in US," says Per-Arne Sandström, CEO, Ericsson Inc. "Together with other recently announced contracts in Europe, this demonstrates our position as the market leader for LMDS - true broadband wireless access systems." 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 Isabella Laihorinne-Smedh, Press Manager, Ericsson Corporate Communications, Phone: +46 70 551 0369; Email: isabella.laihorinne-smedh@lme.ericsson.se Kathy Egan, Vice President, Ericsson Inc., Corporate Communications Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: kathy.egan@ericsson.com Asif Rahman, Marketing Manager MINI-LINK BAS, Ericsson Inc. Phone: +1 972 583 8236; E-mail: asif.rahman@ericsson.com About CenturyTel CenturyTel provides integrated communications services including local exchange, wireless, long distance, Internet access and security monitoring services to more than two million customers in 20 states. The company, headquartered in Monroe, La., is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CTL. CenturyTel is the seventh largest local exchange telephone company, based on access lines, and the ninth largest cellular company, based on population equivalents owned, in the United States. Visit CenturyTel's corporate web site at www.centurytel.com. About MINI-LINK BAS With MINI-LINK BAS, Ericsson is capitalizing on its world-leading role in microwave transmission - with more than 250,000 MINI-LINK units installed in more than 100 countries. The point-to-multipoint MINI-LINK BAS offering is based on Ericsson's proven point-to-point MINI-LINK transport network solutions. Ericsson already holds a strong position with its MINI-LINK product family with one third of the world market - more than double that of its nearest competitor. MINI-LINK BAS is a complete end-to-end solution, from customer services to backbone network solutions. Open interfaces and standards mean that it can easily be integrated with other vendors IP and ATM products as well as with Ericsson's IP router family and ATM packet switching line. The system operates in the 24 to 31 GHz frequency band, including US LMDS bands, Canadian bands and European ETSI bands. LMDS uses new technology for ultrahigh-frequency wireless transport of services. Spectrum licenses in the US and Europe are opening up the market for fixed wireless services via LMDS. With MINI-LINK BAS system, operators can dynamically provide users with instantaneous bandwidth allocation appropriate to their need, using available spectrum efficiently. By using shared transmissions with statistical multiplexing, operators can efficiently offer broadband access at an attractive cost level. Operators will also achieve cost savings when implementing new wireless access networks and can gain market advantage on competitive markets with a rapid roll out. The MINI-LINK BAS addresses the emerging and promising potential of the fixed wireless data market. This solution enables operators to provide telecom grade voice, leased line services and broadband data interconnections to and between office buildings at speeds unmatched by similar systems. Symmetrical LAN interconnections with speeds more than 16 times faster than traditional E1 leased lines are rapidly set-up via the airwaves that dynamically allocate capacity on demand between buildings and users. To address the emerging LMDS market, Ericsson will leverage on its existing flexible production capacity and strong customer base in transmission systems. For more information on Ericsson's new wireless broadband access system, please visit http://www.ericsson.se/transmission/microwave_solutions.shtml ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/07/11/20000711BIT00370/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/07/11/20000711BIT00370/bit0002.pdf