Ericsson opens centers for 3G interoperability testing

Ericsson opens centers for 3G interoperability testing Ericsson opens one global test center in Stockholm and initially two regional test centers in Madrid and London for 3G/UMTS Interoperability Testing (IOT). The new centers will allow all other vendors to bring their products to be tested against Ericsson's complete system. "This initiative shows our commitment to open standards and is a natural next phase for Ericsson as a leading provider in the UMTS standardization work," says Torbjörn Possne, executive vice president and head of Ericsson's WCDMA/PDC Systems. "The centers will be supported by our extensive competence in 2G/3G radio networks, as well as circuit- and packet-switched networks, all part of our unique end-to-end solution." Ericsson, the clear market leader in providing 2G and 3G systems, is strongly committed to continue its leadership also in the strategic field of Multi-Vendor Integration (MVI). Interoperability testing is a way of securing interworking of equipment from different vendors. Ericsson is doing this with joint customer projects in mind. The integration activities include customer support and service all the way up to the point of operational network status. Ericsson has an outstanding history of performing integration and has successfully supported customers worldwide with their integration of GSM, GPRS, intelligent networks and satellite systems, as well as Internet application servers and WAP gateways. This broad competence will also be used for 3G integration. Ericsson has already started 3G MVI test activities with other vendors for a number of customers in Japan and Europe. The new test centers will be operational in March 2001. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Mats Thorén, Press Manager, Division Mobile Systems Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 699 9412; E-mail: press.mobilesystems@lme.ericsson.se