Ericsson's Phone Doubler service implemented in Sweden for the first time

Ericsson's Phone Doubler service implemented in Sweden for the first time Ericsson has signed the first IP-telephony contract with a Swedish telecommunications operator, Tele2. The Ericsson Phone Doubler service is called 'Dubbellinjen' (Double Line) at Tele2's IP Telephony company Call2Web. Tele2's more than 300,000 subscribers have been able to buy the new service since the beginning of October. The new service enables subscribers to receive a phone call and surf the Internet simultaneously. Furthermore, Tele2 subscribers are able to make carrier class phone calls over the IP network at an exceptionally low cost. "Our leading edge IP-telephony products are examples of Ericsson's capability to master the now emerging convergence of the tele and data technologies," says Ingemar Nilsson, President of Ericsson Sverige AB. 'Dubbellinjen' solves the problem of blocked telephone lines due to increased Internet usage. This IP service is easy to install and all that is required is a modem, a sound card, and loudspeakers. While connected to the Internet a message on the screen indicates that a phone call is being received and identifies the caller. The subscriber has the possibility to answer the phone call through the PC. Since its launch, at the end of September, 'Dubbellinjen' has proved to be a popular service with Tele2 subscribers. "This IP-product is the best in its kind for Phone-to PC services on the market today. Ericsson's focus on Internet telephony is also very promising for the future," says Henrik Ringmar, Vice President NetCom Systems. Phone Doubler is based on the latest Ericsson integrated Internet telephony system. Its open platform will allow the operator to offer subscribers even more IP-telephony services in the future. These might include communication fax to fax , phone to phone as well as visual transmission. "We are proud that Tele2 has chosen Ericsson. They support our strategy of first building a robust product for regular IP telephony in order to enhance it with value-added services, like Phone Doubler," says Staffan Lindholm, Manager for Internet Group at Ericsson Datanetworks and IP-services (DNIP). NetCom is a leading telecommunications company in Scandinavia. The company was formed in 1993. In the areas of public telecommunications, data communication services and Internet NetCom operates Tele2 in Sweden, Tele2 A/S in Denmark and Tele2 Norge AS in Norway. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the 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 Staffan Lindholm, Manager for Internet Group at Ericsson Datanetworks and IP- services Phone: + 46 8 719 51 76 Ingemar Nilsson, President of Ericsson Sverige AB Phone: + 46 8 719 21 92 Joséphine Edwall-Björklund, Head of Communications Ericsson Sverige AB Phone: + 46 8 719 16 98, + 46 70 519 16 98 Lars Östlund, Press Officer, Ericsson Corporate Relations Phone: +46 8 70 326 26 56