Ericsson and Telia build world's first mult-service network aimed at enterprise

Ericsson and Telia build world's first multi-service network aimed at enterprise users Ericsson and Telia in Denmark have signed an agreement to develop the world's first converged multi-service network aimed at enterprise users. The network integrates voice, datacom and multimedia services into one single network. The solution offers sophisticated new services and greater network flexibility for Telia's enterprise customer segment. Telia in Denmark is the first-ever operator to build a converged multi-service network for enterprise customers based on Ericsson's future generation network products. The agreement includes an order for Ericsson's new Telephony Server concept and range of ATM/IP network products, like Ericsson's scaleable multi- service ATM switch, the AXD 301. This means that Ericsson is providing Telia in Denmark with a common core network for high quality voice and IP/Internet services focused on the needs of Telia's enterprise customers in Denmark. The solution will enable Telia in Denmark to offer their customers the latest state-of-the-art carrier-class services, such as high-speed data, voice over ATM and multimedia services - all from one single network. Further, Telia will be able to bring new services to market faster and obtain greater flexibility by operating a single, multi-service network, instead of separate networks for voice and for data communications. Telia expects to launch the first services from the new multi-service network commercially in the second quarter of year 2000. "This agreement is part of Telia's commitment to drive leading edge development and provide seamless communications solutions to companies and individuals across Europe," says Arne Larsson, President Telia Net, Denmark. "It is the basis for our future network and provides an open platform for, together with Ericsson, building new and further improved services for our customers. In Denmark it will be our cornerstone in targeting high-tech companies and government institutions, for example, in the 'New Town' project in Copenhagen called Ørestad." "Ericsson's strategy is to provide products and solutions that combine voice, data and mobility," says Jens Andersen, Key Account Manager at Ericsson in Denmark. "This project with Telia is a direct result of our targeted efforts and investments into the convergence of voice, data and, in the near future, mobility, where high-speed wireline networks are necessary for the continuing evolution of wireless datacom services. The project clearly demonstrates our capabilities and our leading position in The New Telecoms World." 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 Antoinette Torell, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 519 3699; E-mail: antoinette.torell@lme.ericsson.se Mads Impgaard Madsen, Press Relations Manager, Ericsson Denmark Phone: +45 40 13 24 20; Email: mads.madsen@ericsson.dk Thomas Boe Bramsen, Information Director, Telia in Denmark Phone: +45 28 27 52 20; Email: tbb@telia.dk Arne Larsson, President Telia Net, Denmark, Telia in Denmark Phone: +45 88 31 31 31; Email: ala@telia.dk About Telia Telia is one of the leading suppliers of telecom-based information services in the Nordic/Baltic region with "seamless" pan-European and global services being realized through powerful alliances and partnerships in Europe and around the world. Today, Telia has 6 million private persons and companies as customers. With more than 30 thousand employees and sales of more than SEK 50 billion, Telia is one of the biggest group of companies in Scandinavia. Background Information: Multi-service network for Telia in Denmark The solution that Ericsson will provide to Telia in Denmark is a Multi Service Network solution with stand-alone Media Gateways. The solution consists of a Telephony Server for call control and Media Gateways, AXD 301, for multi- service packet switching. The Telephony Server is a software function that is implemented on Ericsson's family of telecom processors. The Telephony Server contains all required telephony intelligence for all Media Gateways in the domain. The Media Gateway is a software function that can be implemented in the AXD 301. The Media Gateway simultaneously switches video, datacom and telephony over ATM. The AXD301 can act both as backbone node and multi service gateway. This solution can be used for global operators entering new markets. One single Telephony Server with several stand-alone Media Gateways (multi-service switches) for connecting enterprises' telephony and datacom services as well as interconnect to the incumbent operator can satisfy, for example, regulatory requirements on geographically spread Points of Presence. The operator does not have to deploy a usual countrywide circuit switched network, and is thus able to simultaneously offer the full range of telephony and datacom services from day one of use.