This milestone also signifies that the deployment of third generation mobile technology is progressing in accordance to the operators roll out plans.

In March 2001, Ericsson became the first vendor to deliver commercial WCDMA systems and has to date shipped to more than 35 customers in 24 countries. Ericsson holds a leading 40 percent world market share of the estimated order values for WCDMA.

Ericsson's powerful macro WCDMA base station is the first product in the market of a product family based on pooled architecture and packet switching core. The pooled architecture enables operators to scale up the capacity within existing cabinets in a cost-effective way. The packet switching core allows for fast introduction of new user services, as well as IP transport technology. This makes it a future-proof choice for operators.

"The milestone shipment is really exiting since it is yet another factor that highlights Ericsson's leading market position in 3G," says Torbjörn Possne, Vice President WCDMA at Ericsson. "We have all the elements in place for successful network launches. Several operators have announced 3G soft launches during this autumn and will be followed by many more during first half of next year, when a variety of 3G handsets will be introduced."

Ericsson has secured that not only networks, but also handsets and services are available in order for the operators to introduce a complete 3G business. Ericsson's comprehensive interoperability testing program includes all major handset vendors. Handsets from several vendors, including Sony Ericsson Mobile, have now passed the interoperability program for use in networks from Ericsson.

Ericsson Mobile Platforms has previously announced a complete end-to-end-proven WCDMA/GSM dual mode chipset offer that all phone manufacturers can use.

To facilitate the initial marketing phase for the operators, Ericsson has created a 3G services portfolio together with independent developers, consisting of more than 15 application types targeting both consumer and enterprise needs.