Ericsson & Telcel to lead mass market mobile Internet in Mexico

Ericsson and Telcel to lead mass market mobile Internet in Mexico Ericsson and wireless operator Telcel today announced an agreement that will lead the way for mass market mobile Internet use in Latin America. The agreement will enable Telcel to launch mobile data services for its customers in Mexico this summer. The technology being used is Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), which is able to support mobile services such as web browsing, email, location- based services, mobile e-commerce and on-line information services. The benefit of packet data is that the user is always connected or 'on line'. This means, for example, that a subscriber can be permanently logged on to the Internet or email service. For consumers, this would mean being able to find local maps, locate shops and restaurants, check bank balances or order CDs, just by using their mobile handsets and regardless of their location. Ericsson has recently launched TDMA - CDPD terminals and the availability of these are expected to drive the market for many mobile data services. Daniel Hajj, CEO of Telcel says, "This contract gives us a head start in the mobile Internet boom, expected to spread across Latin America in the next couple of years. We have chosen to partner with Ericsson because we believe the company has the expertise, experience and technology right now, so we can roll out services quickly and ahead of our competitors." Telcel is Mexico's leading wireless operator, with 5.2 million customers at December 1999, 70 per cent market share and the only service provider with nationwide coverage. Cecilia Brandstrom, Vice President, Ericsson Mexico says, "This is an important agreement for Ericsson and puts both companies at the forefront of the mobile Internet revolution." 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 Silse Bloise, Press Manager, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +55 11 6224 8062, +55 11 9233 9938 E-mail: silse.bloise@edb.ericsson.se Cecilia Brandstrom, Vice President, Ericsson Mexico Phone: +52 2169 2955; E-mail: cecilia.brandstrom@tim.ericsson.se Patricia Ramirez-Valdivia, Public Relations Chief, Telcel Phone: +52 5625 3947; E-mail: pramire@dipsa.telcel.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/12/20000412BIT00750/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/12/20000412BIT00750/bit0002.pdf