Ericsson broadband wireless access IP solution chosen by Banda Ancha, S.A.

Ericsson broadband wireless access IP solution chosen by Banda Ancha, S.A. Ericsson has been selected by Spanish operator Banda Ancha S.A. (BASA) for delivery and deployment of a nation-wide broadband wireless IP access TM network based on Ericsson's Beewip solution. BASA was awarded a wireless local loop license operating in the 3.5 GHz frequency band in March 2000. The frame agreement has a total value of USD 36.2 million (SEK 358 million). Ericsson will execute the agreement in three phases over a two-year period. The first phase will be completed in February 2001, and the final phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2002. The Ericsson Beewip solution is a high performance broadband wireless IP access system which provides continuous "always on" connection up to 3Mbps for end users. Beewip is based on the Internet protocol and open standards, which facilitates future development in terms of services, capacity and functionality. Through integration of radio and IP technology, Beewip offers operators very rapid and cost-effective deployment of new broadband services, such as Internet access, e-mail, web browsing, voice over IP, and LAN interconnection. BASA choose the Ericsson Beewip solution because of its excellent fit to their market requirements. Another important factor was the strength of the Ericsson organization to support rapid deployment and implementation in Spain and its proven ability to rapidly carry out turnkey projects. "Ericsson with its vast experience in deploying turnkey projects requiring tight schedules will allow us to have our infrastructure ready in twenty-two cities by February 2001," says Aldo Russo, Managing Director of BASA. "This contract, together with the rest of the agreements signed by Ericsson in Spain, show our customers' confidence in our company and reinforces our leadership in the development of the wireless in the local loop market," says Ingemar Naeve, head of Ericsson Spain. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Ericsson Corporate Communications, Division Mobile Systems Phone: +46 70 551 0369; Email: press.mobilesystems@lme.ericsson.se Antonio Cordón, Ericsson España, Dirección de Comunicación Phone: + 34 91 3391904; Email: antonio.cordon-portillo@ece.ericsson.se About Banda Ancha, S.A. Banda Ancha, S.A. is a recently created company owned by the ALÓ 2000 consortium created in November 1999 to bid for one of the wireless local loop licenses that where going to be granted. This consortium included the Spanish operator ALÓ (30%), the Dutch broadband communications company UPC (30%), industry services company Dragados (20%) and Spanish electricity utility Hidrocantábrico (20%). In March 2000 ALÓ 2000 was awarded a license in the 3.5 GHz frequency band. BASA is a wireless local loop provider, a technology that makes it possible to offer broadband connectivity services. About Beewip Beewip is Ericsson's high performance Broadband Wireless IP Access System for operators addressing residential, SOHO & small enterprises. The system offers excellent use of spectrum and high QoS. Beewip is based on IP and open standards. This facilitates future evolutions in terms of services, capacity and functionality. For further information about Ericsson's Beewip solution visit http://www.ericsson.com/wireless/products/fixed/beewip.shtml ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/08/20001108BIT00900/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/08/20001108BIT00900/bit0002.pdf