Ericsson secures major GSM agreement with Saudi Telcommunications Company
Ericsson secures major GSM agreement with Saudi Telecommunications Company Ericsson and Saudi Telecommunications Company have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for a major expansion and upgrade of STC's existing GSM network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement is valued at more than USD 300 million (SEK 2 627 million) and will expand network capacity by a million subscribers. Ericsson will deliver a full GSM infrastructure and service portfolio on a turnkey basis, enabling STC to carry out the rapid introduction of advanced IN (Intelligent Network) services such as pre-paid, WAP and mobile Internet. The expansion and upgrade, when completed, will more than double the number of GSM lines in the Kingdom, to more than two million, as well as bring STC's GSM services up to par with those of the most advanced GSM networks anywhere. The project will also include implementation of features such as wireless emergency roadside phones throughout the large nation. Ericsson has a strong and substantial commitment to sharing its technological expertise and capabilities in the Kingdom. Under the agreement, Ericsson will from the outset of the project initially employ and train some 150 Saudi technicians in installation and maintenance skills. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecom 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 James Borup, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 590 9261; E-mail: james.borup@lme.ericsson.se Cesare Avenia, Vice President, Ericsson Market Area Middle East and Africa Phone: +44 7774 29 89 03; E-mail: cesare.avenia@ema.ericsson.se ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/03/20000303BIT00460/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/03/20000303BIT00460/bit0002.pdf