Ericsson named sole vendor for Thuraya core network upgrade

• Thuraya's circuit-switched core network upgraded to support modern, high-quality telecommunication services
• Agreement includes advanced billing mediation system, plus support services for five years

Mobile satellite services operator Thuraya has selected Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) as the sole vendor for its circuit-switched core network. Under the agreement, Ericsson will upgrade the Thuraya circuit-switched core network, implement an advanced billing mediation solution and provide support services for five years.

Ahmed Ali Al Shamsi, Chief Technology Officer at Thuraya, says: "As a global leader in mobile satellite services, we take pride in our network, which offers the best quality services in the industry. It is important that we can maintain a high level of network availability and can offer our customers the highest quality voice and data communication services. Ericsson's innovative solutions and our vision to provide customers with the best possible connectivity will help us achieve our long-term expansion goals. We have selected Ericsson as our partner to upgrade our circuit-switched core network and maintain our highly stable and reliable network."

Thuraya's satellite network has always provided consistent connectivity in remote locations. The core network upgrade - including a hardware upgrade of Thuraya's Mobile Switching Center (MSC), and hardware and software enhancements for the Home Location Register (HLR), Operation Support Systems (OSS) and Multi Mediation platform - will give subscribers greater access to telecommunication services wherever they are and provide Thuraya with additional capacity to handle future growth.

The integration and implementation of Ericsson's billing mediation solution will enable Thuraya to handle all customers, partners and services in a streamlined, convergent system, reducing network complexity. Ericsson support services ensure that the network will be running efficiently and smoothly for the next five years.

Rafiah Ibrahim, Executive Vice President, Region Middle East and Africa, Ericsson says: "The rapid expansion of Thuraya's satellite coverage demands a dynamic solution that will transform its existing infrastructure and maintain Thuraya's growing, market-leading footprint. Our services and solutions will equip Thuraya with the latest technology that will simplify operations and provide an unprecedented customer experience."

Ericsson's relationship with Thuraya began more than 15 years ago when Thuraya and Hughes International awarded the first network contract to Ericsson in 1997. Since then, Ericsson has worked closely with Thuraya, which is partly owned by Etisalat, while it made its mark as a leading mobile satellite service provider of voice, data, maritime, rural telephony, fleet management and other telecommunication solutions in remote areas, expanding into more than 140 countries around the world.

NOTES TO EDITORS

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About Thuraya Telecommunications Company
Thuraya Telecommunications Company is an industry leading MSS operator and a global telecommunication provider offering innovative communications solutions to a variety of sectors including energy, broadcast media, maritime, military and humanitarian NGO.

Thuraya's superior network enables clear communications and uninterrupted coverage across two-thirds of the globe by satellite and across the whole planet through its unique GSM roaming capabilities. The company's diverse range of technologically superior and highly reliable mobile satellite handsets and broadband devices provide ease of use, value, quality and efficiency. Thuraya remains committed to serving humanity through delivering the essential tools for optimal connectivity, never leaving anyone out of reach. Visit www.thuraya.com

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today more than 40 percent of the world's mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers' networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscribers. 

We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2011 the company's net sales were SEK 226.9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

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