Ericsson enhances BellSouth Wireless Data€s nationwide Mobitex network in the U.S.

Ericsson enhances BellSouth Wireless Data's nationwide Mobitex network in the U.S. Ericsson recently completed delivery of an extensive upgrade of BellSouth Wireless Data's nationwide Mobitex network in the U.S. The contract includes new enhanced software for more than 1500 base stations and delivery of an additional 400 Mobitex base stations. The contract is a result of a long-term commitment by Ericsson and BellSouth to co-operate in continuos development of the Mobitex network functionality and performance. The system software upgrade, which was completed in record time, will increase performance for the growing interactive messaging market and improve radio coverage both indoors and in sparsely populated areas. More than 1,500 base stations were upgraded to the latest Mobitex system release in just 15 weeks. "The entire upgrade went incredibly smoothly," reports Arne Olsson, product manager Mobitex Network Systems at Ericsson Inc., who worked with BellSouth Wireless Data's engineers during the upgrade. "With the new software functionality Ericsson is enhancing the defacto standard for mobile data. Better coverage, longer battery life and faster connections are key features that the Mobitex operators will benefit from. These considerable improvements will open up new market opportunities for new types of applications with small wearable devices. During the project Ericsson engineers worked closely with BellSouth and RIM, which developed the new Inter@active Pager being used for BellSouth Interactive Paging(SM) Service. BellSouth Wireless Data is making this very substantial new investment in its network as part of its commitment to remain on the leading edge in developing and deploying new wireless data products. "This continued, intense commitment to Mobitex by Ericsson is allowing our company to be at the forefront as interactive wireless data communications begins to explode across broad-based markets," said William F. Lenahan, president and CEO of BellSouth Wireless Data. "From an interactive paging standpoint, the enhancements to Mobitex are allowing us to execute our strategy to provide nationwide two-way coverage that is comparable to one-way paging networks in the top 266 MSAs in the U.S "Ericsson is committed to working for the long term to continuously improve Mobitex technology," notes Pontus Lindqvist, general Manager of Mobitex Infrastructure at Ericsson Mobile Data Design. "As global leaders in wireless communications, our company has the resources and the expertise to ensure that Mobitex remains on the leading edge. Customers in all parts of the world will be able to reap the benefits of cooperation between Ericsson Mobile Data Design and BellSouth Wireless Data." BellSouth Wireless Data, L.P, headquartered in Woodbridge, N.J., is an expert in providing proven wireless data communications solutions that eliminate the barriers between critical information and mobile users. The company, a winner of the prestigious Sears Innovation Source of the Year and Partners in Progress awards for 1997, delivers a competitive advantage and increases personal productivity for aggressive, innovative companies and individuals leveraging communications technologies to meet their strategic goals. BellSouth Wireless Data operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, covering more than 93 percent of the urban business population located in 266 metropolitan areas with a total population of 200 million people. BellSouth Wireless Data is a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation, which provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing, video, Internet and information services to nearly 30 million customers in 20 countries worldwide. E-mail: bellsouthwd.info@bellsouthwd.com. Web site address: www.bellsouthwd.com. Mobitex is the de facto international standard for wireless data communications with more than 100 applications available. Mobitex wireless packet data network makes information available on the move or in remote locations. There are public and private operators in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Indonesia, Germany, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Turkey, the UK, and the U.S. Mobile data is one of the fastest growing segments in the field of mobile communications. Ericsson´s 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom systems makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in telecommunications. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Pontus Lindqvist, General Manager Mobitex Infrastructure, Ericsson Mobile Data Design, Tel: +46-31-703 6082, fax: +46-31-6033 or e-mail: pontus.lindqvist@erv.ericsson.se. John Kampfe, Manager, Corporate Public Relations, BellSouth Wireless Data, US Tel: +1 732 602-5476, Fax: +1 732 602-5495 E-post: jkampfe@bellsouthwd.com Webbsida: www.bellsouthwd.com. Arne Olsson, Product manager, Mobitex Network Systems Ericsson Inc, US Tel: +1 973 890 3672 Fax: +1 973 256 87 68 E-post: arne.olsson@ericsson.com