Ericsson's complete voice over LTE solution selected by SoftBank mobile

• Ericsson is selected by SoftBank Mobile to supply and integrate its end-to-end mobile network solution for voice over LTE (VoLTE) 

• Ericsson's VoLTE solution will offer subscribers High Definition (HD) voice and video calling, and new enriched multimedia services

• The Ericsson VoLTE infrastructure will serve as the basis for SoftBank's future network virtualization plans and Telecom Cloud introduction, and achieve more efficient spectrum utilization in the network 

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) is selected by SoftBank Mobile Corp ("SoftBank Mobile"), one of Japan's leading operators, to provide and integrate its end-to-end network solution, Mobile Telephony Evolution with VoLTE.

Ericsson's VoLTE solution will deliver the most advanced communication services for SoftBank Mobile to enhance consumer experience. With VoLTE as a basis, consumers will be able to enjoy telecom-grade HD voice and video calling alongside other telephony services, while using simultaneous LTE data services on LTE smartphones. VoLTE introduction will also help SoftBank utilize its valuable spectrum resources more efficiently.

Junichi Miyakawa, Executive Vice President, Director and CTO, SoftBank Mobile, said: "With the rapid network evolution to LTE, SoftBank Mobile decided to introduce VoLTE as the next generation communication technology for voice and video calling over LTE. We hope to be able to deliver quality communication in a fast and cost-efficient manner by utilizing Ericsson's VoLTE solution."

Ericsson is upgrading SoftBank Mobile's existing mobile core network (Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution and Evolved Packet Core) with a complete IMS core, which includes the Multimedia Telephony Application Server (MTAS). SoftBank Mobile's best-in-class Ericsson-based LTE network is also being upgraded with new VoLTE software.

The VoLTE infrastructure will enable additional new enriched communication services, and will serve as the basis for SoftBank's future network virtualization plans and Telecom Cloud introduction.

Until nationwide LTE coverage is deployed, seamless handover of ongoing voice calls from LTE to WCDMA is needed to ensure uninterrupted voice services as the user moves out of LTE coverage. Ericsson will also deploy this end-to-end network handover functionality, SRVCC (Single Radio Voice Call Continuity).

Jan Signell, President and Representative Director of Ericsson Japan and Head of Region North East Asia, said: "Ericsson's VoLTE offering provides a highly capable end-to-end solution for SoftBank Mobile. With this new agreement we will continue to strengthen our strategic partnership with SoftBank Mobile. By leveraging on the Ericsson installed base in the mobile core and radio network, and our ability to deliver complex Systems Integration projects, SoftBank Mobile will benefit from a fast and cost efficient new service introduction."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

Press backgrounder on VoLTE
About Ericsson's solution: Mobile Telephony Evolution with VoLTE

About SoftBank Group: www.softbank.co.jp/en/info/

Related Ericsson and SoftBank Mobile press releases:
Allocation of 900MHz "Platinum Band" (March 1, 2012)
SoftBank Mobile deploys 900MHz Evolved HSPA network (March 22, 2012)
SoftBank Mobileand Ericsson demonstrate new LTE feature to improve cell-edge data rate
(July 29, 2011)
Improved mobile data access for Japanese users (November 5, 2010)
Japan's SoftBank Mobile chooses Ericsson mobile broadband solution (August 2, 2010)

Ericsson is a world-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 40 percent of the world's mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers' networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscriptions. 

We are more than 110,000 people working with customers in more than 180 countries. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2012 the company's net sales were SEK 227.8 billion (USD 33.8 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

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