Ericsson awarded USD 100 million contract to deliver first Pan-Latin America broa

Ericsson awarded USD 100 million contract to deliver first Pan-Latin America broadband wireless network Ericsson has signed a contract with Diginet Americas, Inc., initially valued at USD 100 million (SEK 846 million), to build out Diginet's fixed wireless networks throughout Latin America. The strategic agreement makes Ericsson the preferred supplier to Diginet to provide equipment and services for the first pan Latin America fixed wireless broadband network. The agreement covers the urban markets of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Ericsson will provide Diginet with an end-to-end broadband fixed wireless network solution, handling data, voice, and video. The network is being built around Ericsson's AXD 301 ATM switch in the backbone and Ericsson's MINI-LINK digital microwave wireless systems, optimized for IP-based services. "This agreement allows us to exploit our first-mover advantage as the leading provider of fixed wireless broadband networks throughout the region," said Dave Schmieg, CEO of Washington, DC-based Diginet Americas, Inc. "With Ericsson's deep experience, and over 100-year presence in the region, Diginet has chosen a strategic partner with the regional business insight, technical ability and resources to support Diginet's aggressive pan Latin American strategy." "This strategic agreement with Diginet showcases the breadth of Ericsson's product and service lines in the fixed wireless broadband market," said Bengt Forssberg, Executive Vice President, Ericsson Latin America. "Our unmatched knowledge of Latin American telecom markets and expertise in designing and implementing networks will help Diginet deploy services quickly and profitably." @ SM Through its Diveo family of Digital Dedicated Access services, Diginet Americas currently provides corporate customers in Argentina and Colombia with high capacity, scalability and superior quality for corporate Internet and data network connectivity. Ericsson's next generation fixed and wireless solutions for multi-service networks are based on open standard, packet-switching technologies and designed for real-time services. The end-to-end network architecture is based on a synergistic combination of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and Internet Protocol (IP) networking solutions. Ericsson's technology provides one single ATM backbone for all services, including both IP and traditional telephony, Frame Relay, digital private line and LAN-to-LAN. Ericsson's strengths in mobile, microwave transport and ATM technologies are being combined in the MINI-LINK product family to create point-to-point and point-to-multipoint access systems. With 30 years of experience in microwave transmission and with more than 150,000 units installed in the most extreme environments in more than 100 countries, MINI-LINK is today leading the microwave evolution in close cooperation with operators. 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 Lars Eriksson, Business Manager, New and Global Operators Ericsson Business Unit Wireline Systems Phone: +46 70 519 7812; E-mail: lars-a.eriksson@etx.ericsson.se About Diginet Americas, Inc. Diginet Americas, Inc. is a facilities-based telecom provider offering services through its own fixed wireless broadband networks. Currently, Diginet Americas has licenses and telecommunications operating authorities to build and operate communications services in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Diginet's networks in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Bogota, Colombia are already operational serving customers such as EDS, GlobalOne, IBM and SAP with its Diveo family of, Digital Dedicated Access services. The Company is planning 1999 service launches in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to address the growing demand for broadband Internet access and data connectivity in these metropolitan markets. Diveo's solutions embrace rapid deployment, high capacity, scalability and superior quality unique in Latin America. Please learn more about Diginet Americas, Inc.'s mission, business proposition and service offerings by accessing the web site at www.diginetamericas.com.