Ericsson, Pacific Bell Wireless to introduce wireless datacom

Ericsson, Pacific Bell Wireless to introduce wireless datacom to California and Nevada subscribers Pacific Bell Wireless has selected Ericsson to provide a turnkey General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) 1900 MHz system. The agreement, which will bring PBW's California and Nevada subscribers another step closer to the wireless Internet, continues Ericsson's leadership in the evolution to third generation mobile networks. The multi-million dollar contract includes two pairs of 100k SAU (simultaneous attached users) SGSN & GGSN nodes, complete BSC hardware upgrade and GPRS network software. Pacific Bell Wireless is a subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. No other SBC companies are included in the agreement. "Ericsson's GPRS solution is the first step in adding the power of mobility to Datacom applications," says Bo Dimert, President and CEO, Ericsson Inc. "This deal will provide Pacific Bell Wireless subscribers in California and Nevada with the ability to browse the Web or their corporate intranets even faster, and to capably send e-mails with relatively large attachments." "Pacific Bell Wireless provides California and Nevada with the highest quality, most secure network in operation. We want to enhance our excellent voice services offering with data services that are fast, secure and state-of-the-art, and that are user-friendly and a value to our customers," says Bob Shaner, regional president - Southwestern Bell Wireless and Pacific Bell Wireless. GPRS introduces packet data to mobile networks and is a first vital step in the evolution to third generation (3G) mobile networks, fully enabling Mobile Internet applications and a range of other advanced Datacom services. By combining its strength in Datacom and mobility, Ericsson's objective is to provide users with "anywhere, anytime" access to the Internet. 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 Communications, Ericsson Inc. Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: kathy.egan@ericsson.com Johan Wiklund, Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se