Ericsson's wireless access for IP services - MINI-LINK BAS

Ericsson's wireless access for IP services - MINI-LINK BAS gives quantum leap in speeds Ericsson launches a new wireless access system optimized for IP-based services at speeds up to 37 Mbps. For users and operators, these speeds represent a quantum leap in wired or wireless access speeds. The point-to-multipoint access system bridges wireline and wireless networks, smoothly handling bandwidth-hungry IP services, multimedia e-mailing and video conferencing, together with the less demanding bandwidth requirements of telephony services - making it an efficient new solution to handle the convergence of datacoms and telecoms. Business demand for high-speed Internet and other new services is growing fast. This, together with deregulation on the market and the availability of new access solutions, will stimulate development of profitable market opportunities for existing and new breeds of providers. Ericsson's new MINI-LINK Broadband Access System (BAS) ensures that businesses have the economical solution they need to stay competitive in today's fast changing environment. It is initially targeted for small and medium sized businesses that want a scaleable system for datacom and telecom services. Users get instantaneous bandwidth allocation, appropriate to their needs, using available spectrum efficiently to handle datacom services. An especially attractive feature for the business community is that the system offers significant cost savings in relation to commonly used solutions, 1.5 Mbps or 2 Mbps service interface 'leased lines.' "The new solution is based on Ericsson's world-leading MINI-LINK product family. We're the world market leader in microwave access systems, with more than 30 percent world market share. This position, in fact, is more than double that of our nearest competitor," said Sivert Bergman, Executive Vice President, Ericsson Microwave and head of Business Unit Transmission Solutions. Ericsson's strengths in mobile, microwave transport and ATM technologies are combined in MINI-LINK BAS to provide cost efficiency and reliable performance. Open interfaces and standards mean that it can be easily integrated with other vendors' IP and ATM products, as well as with Ericsson's IP router family, ATM switching line and business switches. It is a complete end-to-end solution, from customer service terminals to ATM backbone solutions, as well as management systems assuring quality, availability and security. Deployment is simple, and because build-out costs are on a 'per user basis,' the system is also efficient for serving areas with low penetration. The system handles cells with a radius of up to 5 kilometers. In a technological breakthrough for commercial use, MINI-LINK BAS also incorporates highly sophisticated space and defense technology, resulting in a remarkably lightweight and compact unit. The technology is known as MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits). MINI-LINK BAS provides open and flexible access technology that can easily accommodate increasing numbers of users - offering a 'pay as you grow' infrastructure. Operators also achieve significant cost savings when implementing new wireless access networks, and gain market advantage on competitive markets with a rapid roll-out. Trials are underway in the US and Europe, with commercial volume deliveries starting in the second half of this year. Ericsson's existing flexible production facilities for the market-leading MINI-LINK product family assure fast and reliable delivery. The system operates in the 24 to 31 GHz frequency band, including European ETSI bands, US LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution System) bands and Canadian bands. Several countries in Europe are currently in the process of licensing spectrum. 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 Hans Herbertsson, Marketing Manager, MINI-LINK BAS Ericsson Business Unit Transmission Solutions Phone: +46 31 747 3229, +46 70 987 3229 E-mail: hans.herbertsson@emw.ericsson.se Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se