Ericsson and 3IC in strategic alliance for distribution of CDMA equipment

Ericsson and 3IC in strategic alliance for distribution of CDMA wireless data equipment Today, Ericsson announced that it has signed a strategic agreement with 3IC for the distribution of Ericsson's wireless data equipment. The terms of the agreement include capital investment by Ericsson in return for a minority equity stake in 3IC. According to the agreement, 3IC will distribute Ericsson's CDMA data products including the cdmaOne Interworking Function (IWF) and the cdma2000 Packet Core Network (PCN) to the Korean market. In addition, 3IC will also handle certain system integration and technical support of Ericsson's data equipment sales. "Ericsson's leading data products are very attractive for the advanced Korean CDMA operators," said Bubba Rhee, President and CEO of 3IC. "Through minimal investment, mobile operators can now offer carrier class data services in existing networks, that will generate additional revenue and help ensure subscriber loyalty." "We are excited to be strengthening Ericsson's position with Korean operators through our relationship with 3IC," added Åke Persson, President of Ericsson CDMA Systems. "The strategic alliance between Ericsson and 3IC provides both companies with expanded business opportunities as we are able to support the Korean operators' need for enhanced data services." Ericsson's IWF is a wireless data access solution that offers operators the most resilient, scalable and cost-effective platform for delivering end-to-end mobile data solutions over CDMA networks. The IWF is based on the industry standard interoperability specification (IOS) and can be integrated into any operator's network. As the CDMA radio network evolves toward 3G, the IWF has a smooth migration path with an easy software upgrade. Through this upgrade, the IWF becomes a key component of the cdma2000 Packet Core Network. This provides mobile operators maximum use of their capital investment and further cost savings. The PCN enables end-to-end IP services in cdma2000 networks, delivering "always online, always connected" functionality and direct access to IP-service networks. The PCN is a part of Ericsson's total cdma2000 solution. By enabling the mobile Internet with an industry leading cdma2000 solution Ericsson opens up new markets and revenue opportunities for operators. cdmaOne is one of the fastest growing wireless technologies in the world, currently serving more than 71 million subscribers. Developed by the industry's premier CDMA experts, Ericsson's CDMA solutions offer operators unique performance advantages and smooth evolution to 3G by leveraging the full strength of Ericsson's expertise in wireless, IP/datacom and mobile Internet technologies. 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 James Borup, Press Relations Manager Ericsson Corporate Communications, Division Mobile Systems Phone: +46 70 699 9412; E-mail: james.borup@lme.ericsson.se Charlotte Rubin, Public Relations Manager Ericsson Business Unit CDMA Systems Phone: +1 858 332 6589; E-mail: charlotte.rubin@ericsson.com Janos Fugedi, President Ericsson Market Unit in Korea Phone: +822 397 2710; E-mail: janos.fugedi@ekk.ericsson.se At 3IC: Mr.SungJoong Shin, 3IC Phone: +82 31 709 3331; E-mail: hawk@3ic.co.kr About 3IC Korean-based 3IC is the world leader for Network Management and O&M systems for CDMA networks. In addition, 3IC also specializes in the integration and interoperability testing of CDMA wireless data products within live CDMA operator networks and participates in the network consulting. Over the years, 3IC has provided many major international telecommunication manufacturers as well as the world leading CDMA operators with its systems. 3IC was founded in 1992 by the current president of the company, President Bubba Rhee. Read more at: http://www.3ic.co.kr/ About Ericsson's CDMA IWF Ericsson's IWF is the industry's first Telco-grade IWF and provides more than three times the density of other CDMA IWFs. Ericsson developed its CDMA IWF based upon its carrier-proven technology platform, the Tigris Multiservice Access platform. The IWF enables CDMA operators to offer wireless data services to their subscribers, including access to the Internet, WAP portals and corporate Intranets, along with circuit switched data and fax services. About Ericsson's cdma2000 Packet Core Network Ericsson's cdma2000 Packet Core Network (PCN) is a key component in the evolution from today's circuit-switched environment to third generation (3G), packet-switched networks. The PCN allows direct access to IP-service networks, such as the Internet, corporate Intranets and multimedia networks. This new network architecture allows operators to assume a variety of revenue-generating roles defined by today's market dynamics: wireless ISP, content provider or application service provider. As with all Ericsson CDMA products, the PCN nodes have been built with a full commitment to open standards. The open R-P (radio to packet) interface allows operators the flexibility to choose radio access and packet data components that best meet their needs from the various vendors supporting open interfaces. Ericsson's cdma2000 PCN offers other significant advantages to operators, including a cost-saving IP/ATM core network, a common and standardized service creation environment for rapid feature introduction, seamless intra- and inter-network roaming via the Mobile IP standard, and scaleable configurations to accommodate networks of any size.