This contract for the UMTS core network equipments and associated integration services demonstrates the trust Orange France has shown in Ericsson's solutions, particularly concerning the 3G mobile infrastructures. This trust is based upon a long and positive working relationship between both companies as Ericsson already supplies to Orange France its GSM and GPRS core networks as well as the MMS platform.

"Our choice naturally turned to Ericsson since their technology ensures the migration of our existing network to the UMTS network, thus allowing us to further offer to Orange's customers innovative and high-quality mobile services," said René Le Gal, Chief Technical Officer, Orange France.

"We are pleased to supply to Orange the first UMTS core network in France," said Guy Roussel, Head of global Customer Unit France Telecom, Ericsson. "This contract continues the long and trustful relationship we have with Orange, it confirms our leadership on the 3G mobile infrastructures market and reinforces Ericsson's position as network integrator in a multi-vendor environment."

The UMTS contract with Orange France underlines Ericsson's position as the world's leading supplier of 3G mobile systems. Ericsson has now been named as vendor in 37 out of 72 publicly announced WCDMA agreements announced to date and has a global market share of 40 per cent.