China Mobile plans to set up its MMS service centers in four major cities in China, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing and Wuhan. Ericsson is awarded the contracts in the first two cities.

The contract also includes implementation, integration and two year of system support services.

To secure rich and quality MMS applications when China Mobile launches MMS services nation wide in China in October, Ericsson has co-organized a MMS application contest with China Mobile to encourage the development and commercialisation of quality MMS applications from July to September 2002.

"It is strategically important for Ericsson to have footprint in China Mobile's service network, which will keep Ericsson in a more favorable position in China Mobile's service and network migration process. Ericsson's solutions meet China Mobile's both technical and business requirements in system design and construction. Understanding customers' demand was the key factor for Ericsson to win the contract," says Jan Malm, President of Ericsson China.

Ericsson is a forerunner in MMS and has supplied more than 80 test systems worldwide. Ericsson has already secured over 30 orders to supply commercial MMS systems.