Ericsson GSM breakthrough in central Russia

Ericsson GSM breakthrough in central Russia Ericsson has signed a contract with Russian operator OOO Tomsk Cellular Communication for a turn-key GSM network. This signifies an Ericsson breakthrough in the large industrial regions of Central Russia. The network will enable OOO Tomsk Cellular Communicaton to offer services like Multi Party Service - when a subscriber can communicate with several persons at the same time, Closed User Group - restricting the accessible numbers for a defined group of subscribers, as well as services like Call Waiting and Call Hold. The GSM system will initially cover the city of Tomsk, with a capacity in the first phase for up to 3,000 subscribers. In a second phase it will be expanded to serve up to 7,000 users and cover Tomsk and the surrounding regions. The contract covers AXE solutions, radio base stations, service solutions as well as training. "Ericsson was chosen to assure us a superior network based on the best technology available to provide price-competitive and innovative services to private and business users. Ericsson's commitment to support a fast introduction of services is of utmost importance for a successful operation," says Ivan Ivanovich Shevjakov, General Director of OOO Tomsk Cellular. Tomsk is a regional centre with a population of 500,000. It's one of the largest industrial cities of Central Russia with several chemical and engineering plants. GSM is the world's most widely deployed digital wireless communications standard. Ericsson is the leader in GSM, with almost half of the world's 120 million GSM subscribers connected by Ericsson systems. Ericsson has been present in Russia since 1881. In 1994 a local company Ericsson Corporatia AO was opened. Ericsson has more than 400 employees in the country. The company has supplied wireline and wireless network solutions to more then 100 cities in 50 regions of Russia. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the 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 Ivan Shevijakov, General Director, OOO Tomsk Cellular Communication Phone: +7 3822 279 097 Eddie Ahman, Vice President, Ericsson Corporatia AO Phone: +7 095 247 6211 Johan Wiklund, Press Relations Manager, Ericsson Mobile Systems Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@era.ericsson.se