The contract for Ericsson's total CDMA2000 network solution comprises equipment for core and radio network; key applications such as true 3G high-speed EV-DO up to 2.4 Mbps, Prepaid, Multi-media Message Service, Short Message Service and Voice Mail Service; as well as a full portfolio of operational assistance, training and network rollout services.

"We are honored to be selected by TELECSA to assist them in rolling out their nationwide CDMA2000 1X network," said Åke Persson, president of Ericsson Mobile CDMA Systems. "Ericsson is committed to supporting Ecuador's growing telecommunications market. Our CDMA2000 1X solution positions TELECSA to reduce costs and increase revenues by enabling them to deliver progressive data experiences to their customers."

Ericsson's total CDMA2000 portfolio is built upon Ericsson's global 3G platform for switching, radio access, IP, services and applications and will enable TELECSA to reduce costs through decreased space requirements, deployment flexibility, simplified site acquisition and leasing, decreased construction costs and lower power consumption. Focused on providing sustainable value into the future, Ericsson's CDMA2000 1X total solution has been designed to provide operators like TELECSA with an easy, cost-effective migration path to CDMA2000 1xEV DV and beyond.

"As a new operator in Ecuador, it is crucial that we partner with an experienced and reliable vendor such as Ericsson when rolling out our CDMA2000 1X EV-DO network," said Peter Burrowes, president of TELECSA. "The compact design and high performance characteristics of Ericsson's CDMA2000 1X solution offer significant savings in both capital and operating expenses for TELECSA as we bring advanced 3G services to Ecuador."

Owned equally by Ecuador's Andinatel and Pacifictel, TELECSA is a new 1900 Mhz operator.

Deployment will begin immediately and phase one will be completed in Q4 of this year.