Ericsson and Triton PCS agree to USD 95 million TDMA contract extension

Ericsson and Triton PCS agree to USD 95 million TDMA contract extension Ericsson today announced it has extended an agreement to supply TDMA infrastructure equipment to Triton PCS in US markets in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, northern Georgia and northeastern Tennessee. Today's USD 95 million (SEK 815 million) agreement builds on a five-year, USD 200 million contract signed in 1998 for Ericsson to provide and install base stations and mobile switching centers. Ericsson will also supply software, services and handsets throughout Triton PCS' markets. "The growth of the relationship between Ericsson and Triton PCS reflects the quality and the reliability of Ericsson's TDMA solution," said Skip Speaks, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Network Operators Group, Ericsson Inc. "It also testifies to Triton PCS' commitment to Ericsson's 3G vision, which will position its customers to benefit from the technological advances this platform will deliver." "This agreement further strengthens our position in our markets with our customers from a service perspective and positions us to offer Third Generation products in the near future," said Clyde Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Triton PCS. There are approximately 95 million subscribers using TDMA/AMPS networks worldwide. TDMA is commercially available as a dual-band (850/1900MHz) and dual-mode (analog-digital) technology. Some 25 million subscribers are already using TDMA services. TDMA (IS-136) already delivers nearly all of the IMT-2000 functionality and is being further enhanced to deliver all IMT-2000 capabilities in the existing 850 and 1900 MHz frequency bands and in the new 2 GHz band. 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, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se Company Information Triton PCS is licensed to build and operate a digital wireless network in a contiguous area covering 13 million people in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, northern Georgia and northeastern Tennessee. Since January, the company has launched service in 15 markets covering a population of 8.7 million people and plans to begin service in 18 additional markets by the end of the year. The Malvern, Pennsylvania-based company is marketing its service under the brand SunCom, a member of the AT&T Wireless Network. AT&T currently operates the largest digital wireless network in North America and is licensed to cover more than 95 percent of the United States' population. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/07/12/19990712BIT00240/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/07/12/19990712BIT00240/bit0002.pdf