Ericsson awarded $350 million contract from VoiceStream

Ericsson awarded $350 million contract from VoiceStream for mobile Internet-ready GSM equipment and WAP terminals Ericsson, the global leader in mobile communications, and VoiceStream Wireless Corporation, the largest GSM operator in the United States, have signed a multi-year contract for equipment and services to expand and upgrade VoiceStream's GSM 1900 network in the eastern United States. The contract, valued at approximately $350 million initially with provisions for an additional $90 million, provides VoiceStream the ability to upgrade and expand its Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Miami markets to meet customer requirements. The agreement includes delivery of Ericsson handsets and will enable VoiceStream to rapidly introduce mobile Internet using WAP and GPRS technologies. Delivery of infrastructure equipment is underway. "Ericsson is devoted to developing and evolving GSM technologies in North America," said Per-Arne Sandström, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ericsson Inc. "This regional solution is a splendid opportunity for Ericsson and VoiceStream to work together to ensure that network capacity keeps pace with the ever-growing demand for services." "This agreement will enable VoiceStream to continue to provide its subscribers with the voice quality they expect and mobile Internet services that are fast, secure and easy to use," said Bob Stapleton, President and COO of VoiceStream Wireless Corporation. Ericsson has the industry's most complete end-to-end wireless voice and data solution, which includes mobile terminals, WAP gateways, GPRS platforms, backbone infrastructure, portal solutions and professional services for creating world-class wireless data applications. 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 250 million GSM subscribers connected by Ericsson systems. More than 125 operators in 70 countries around the world rely on GSM systems from Ericsson. 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, Senior Press Officer, Corporate Communications Phone: +46 8 757 5612; E-mail: james.borup@lme.ericsson.se Kathy Egan, Vice President, Ericsson Inc., Corporate Communications Phone: +1 212 685 4030; E-mail: kathy.egan@ericsson.com Kim Thompson, Communications Manager, VoiceStream Wireless Phone: +1 425 653 5027; E-mail: kim.thompson@voicestream.com About VoiceStream Based in Bellevue, Wash., VoiceStream is a leading, national provider of wireless communications services in the country. VoiceStream is the largest provider of personal communications service using the globally dominant GSM technology in the United States. VoiceStream is a member of the North American GSM Alliance LLC, a group of U.S. and Canadian digital wireless PCS carriers. The GSM Alliance helps provide GSM wireless communications for their customers in more than 3,500 U.S. and Canadian cities and towns as well as international service. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/09/20000509BIT00990/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/09/20000509BIT00990/bit0002.pdf