Ericsson and AIS expand GSM network in Thailand
Ericsson and AIS expand GSM network in Thailand Ericsson has signed two contracts with the operator Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) in Thailand for the expansion of its GSM network. The contracts are valued at more than USD 55 million. When fully implemented in the first quarter of 2000, capacity in the network will be increased to provide more than 775,000 mobile users with high quality voice services. "Ericsson has been our major supplier since AIS began operation of its GSM network in 1994," said Mr. Somprasong Boonyachai, President & CEO, Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited. "Our successful record with Ericsson to date made them the natural choice for us to work with on our expansion program." "This contract marks the confidence AIS places in Ericsson. We are delighted at this opportunity to continue and further strengthen our relationship with AIS," said Jan Kemvall, President, Ericsson (Thailand) Ltd. "This deal once again proves Ericsson to be a very capable and reliable partner in telecommunications development. This new contract further strengthens our position as the market leader in Thailand's mobile communications in general, and in supplying digital GSM 900 networks in particular." GSM is the world's most widely deployed wireless communications standard. Ericsson is the global market leader in GSM, with close to half of the world's 200 million GSM subscribers connected by Ericsson systems. 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 James Borup, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 8 757 5612, +46 70 590 9261 E-mail: james.borup@lme.ericsson.se Amnuaysak Thoonsiri, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Communications Office, Ericsson (Thailand) Ltd. Phone: +66 2 299 7110; E-mail: amnuaysak.thoonsiri@ect.ericsson.se Company Information Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) was established in 1986 to operate a computer business. In 1990, the company was granted a 20-year BTO (Build-Transfer-Operate) concession from the Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) to operate cellular phone networks using NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone) 900 and Digital GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard at a frequency of 900 Mhz. Later, in 1996, the 20-year concession was extended to 25 years. AIS was listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on November 5, 1991. The company expanded its wireless communication networks by investing in Advanced Paging Co., Ltd a market leader in paging service under the brand name "Phonelink". ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/14/19990914BIT00300/bit0001.pdf http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/14/19990914BIT00300/bit0002.doc