Implementation of the turnkey contract, which includes the supply, delivery and deployment of equipment and solutions, is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2006. Upon completion, it will increase Sun Cellular's network capacity, performance and coverage to meet subscriber growth and demand for the operator's services in the areas.

Ericsson Mobile Softswitch is the first efficient step towards a converged all-IP core network.  By complementing the Mobile Softswitch and IP Infrastructure with a standardized service environment, Sun Celullar will be able to offer a wide range of new and differentiating multimedia services.

Charles Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Cellular, says: "With the continued increase in our subscriber base, we are always on the look out for solutions that will maximize our efficiency and savings without compromising our quality of service. Ericsson addresses this requirement through the Mobile Softswitch solution, allowing us to carry large volumes of traffic in the most cost-effective way."

Rajendra Pangrekar, Country Manager of Ericsson Philippines, says: "Ericsson is pleased to be selected by Sun Cellular as the partner for evolving their network to telecom-grade all-IP.  We look forward to helping them reinforce their competitiveness with multimedia services. 

"By providing Sun Cellular with a mature and proven solution, we believe that we can fulfill not only their immediate needs, but allow them the flexibility to meet future requirements."

 

 

 

Ericsson Media Relations

Phone: +46 8 719 69 92

E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

Ericsson's Softswitch are commercially proven systems that maintain and extends operator revenues.  They provide a low-risk evolution of existing circuit-switched networks to a telecom quality, IP multimedia service platform.  They offer operators the opportunity to utilize network resources for next-generation services in the most cost-effective way, while continuing to profit from classic voice services.  More than 55 fixed and mobile operators worldwide have commercially launched services based on Ericsson's true Softswitch solutions. Ericsson's Mobile Softswitch solution, based on 3rd generation softswitch servers and media gateways, supports common core for both 2G and 3G on ATM, TDM and IP protocols

Sun Cellular is the mobile brand of Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. Sun Cellular's wireless network is based on the GSM standard,, operating on the 1800 MHz frequency band. Sun Cellular was commercially launched on March 29, 2003.   Sun Cellular aims to achieve critical mass of subscribers by offering a highly differentiated service anchored on superior value for money, network quality, and customer service. For more information on Sun Cellular, please visit www.suncellular.com.ph