Ericsson reports on Central Asia, Middle East, Estern Africa

Ericsson reports on millennium shift in Central Asia, Middle East and Eastern Africa Central Asia, parts of the Middle East and Eastern Africa have now entered into the new Millennium. According to initial reports everything is under control and the Ericsson equipment is functioning well. The countries that have now entered the new millennium include, for example, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Kenya and Uganda. The whole of Russia has also passed the Millennium shift. Earlier on today, the millennium shift in Oceania and East Asia has passed without any disturbances in Ericsson systems. This means that the large part of the Ericsson product portfolio has passed the millennium shift. The load on the public systems is very high and some subscribers might experience problems getting a dialling tone, or receiving a congestion tone, when trying to set up a call. This is not due to any fault in the systems but purely a matter of overload in the networks. The condition is temporary and service levels are expected to be restored when traffic load is normalized. Ericsson has put substantial efforts into eliminating and minimizing any disturbances that could be caused directly or indirectly at the millennium shift in systems delivered by Ericsson. All Ericsson products have been tested for millennium compliance and upgrades have been offered to customers if necessary. Critical internal information systems have been tested and upgraded in order to secure internal working conditions. All phases in the supply chain from order to installation including external vendors have been reviewed so that Ericsson can maintain continuous high quality supply of products and services. In order to assist it's global customer base, Ericsson has more than 3,000 people on duty around the clock during the millennium shift in more than 200 locations all over the world. To co-ordinate this effort, a number of new routines and systems have been established and tested, including a dedicated world-wide communication system used for rapid information collection and deployment. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with 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 Lars Stålberg, Senior Vice President, Communications Tel: +46 70 555 6066 Eric Österberg, Communications Director Tel +46 70 590 0599 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/31/19991231BIT00080/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/31/19991231BIT00080/bit0002.pdf