Ericsson awarded mobile network expansion contract in Hebei

Ericsson awarded mobile network expansion contract in Hebei Ericsson has signed a mobile network contract with Hebei Post & Telecommunications Administration (HPTA) in China valued at close to USD 110 million (SEK 860 million). Divided into two parts, the contract includes the fifth phase expansion of the Hebei province GSM network and the sixth phase expansion of the province's TACS network. The two projects are scheduled for completion in June 1999. Upon completion the capacity of the Ericsson supplied GSM network in Hebei will reach 1.1 million subscribers, while the Hebei province's TACS network capacity will increase to 450,000 subscribers. The contract was signed locally by the joint venture Beijing Ericsson Mobile Communication. Ericsson China has more than 3,600 employees, 23 offices in different parts of the country and nine joint ventures that provide a full range of communications solutions and services. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the 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 Zhang Xingsheng, Executive Vice President Ericsson (China) Co. Ltd. Region North Phone: +86 10 6561 9988 Tu Min, Business Development and Communications Manager Ericsson (China) Co. Ltd., Region North Phone: +86 10 6561 9988 Johan Wiklund, Press Relations Manager, Ericsson Mobile Systems Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@era.ericsson.se ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For the GSM network expansion, Ericsson's new R7 software will be installed in the Mobile Switching Center (MSC), which meets all the requirements of Chinese MAP version 2. MAP is a comprehensive signalling scheme which has been developed specially for GSM networks. R7 is a new GSM software platform providing new value-added services. In addition, GSM 1800 equipment and Prepaid system will be added to the existing GSM network. The RBS889, Ericsson's new micro radio base station, will be installed for the expansion of the TACS network. It's the first time RBS899 will be used in China to provide a powerful solution for traffic congestion and to improve system capacity. A software of Hierarchical Cell Structure (HCS) will be put in the MSC, enabling handling of larger traffic volumes. Also a new filter will be attached enabling the system to make full use of the existing TACS frequency spectrum. In 1991, Hebei PTA introduced Ericsson's TACS system, which covers all 11 cities in the province. In 1995, the Ericsson GSM 900 system was introduced by Hebei PTA, currently deployed in six cities in the northern part of the province. Beijing Ericsson Mobile Communication Co. Ltd. is a joint venture set up in August 1995. It is owned by the Chinese National Post & Telecommunications Industry Corporation and Ericsson. The joint venture manufactures and packages mobile communication systems and terminals. It also provides services such as network design, implementation and maintenance.