Ericsson selected by Italy's H3G as principal UMTS-supplier

Ericsson selected by Italy's H3G as principal UMTS-supplier Ericsson Telecomunicazioni has signed a letter of intent with H3G for delivery of its UMTS network and the development of 3G applications and services to be launched by summer of 2002. The agreement entails turnkey supply of the complete Core Network and a major part of the Radio Access Network, including Base Stations and Base Station Controllers, as well as the creation of a 3G-services development lab in Milan in collaboration with H3G. "Among the competitive advantages that we have assured with the selection of Ericsson is the capability of carrying out a fast deployment of the network thanks to the turnkey supply of base station sites," said Vincenzo Novari, H3G CEO, who also emphasized how Ericsson will provide high-quality support and technical assistance, thanks to the capillarity of Ericsson's presence in Italy. The UMTS network for H3G will be built according to WCDMA, which is the globally dominating standard for 3G. "We are proud to be chosen by H3G as the principal supplier for the building of their UMTS network, and as a privileged partner in the development of applications and services," said Massimo Gentili, CEO of Ericsson Telecomunicazioni. "Ericsson will stand by H3G with end-to-end solutions for the success of the third generation of mobility." "Following our 3G agreement with Hutchison in Australia, we have now signed up with Hi3G Sweden as well as H3G Italy," said Kinson Loo, Ericsson's Managing Director for Hutchison Global Account. "This not only demonstrates our leadership and strength in 3G, but more importantly that Ericsson is a true global partner for Hutchison, one of our most valuable global customers." Ericsson is the leading 3G-supplier, to this day named by 34 of just over 50 WCDMA-operators worldwide. Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Mats Thorén, Press Relations, Division Mobile Systems, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 346 54 36; E-mail: mats.thoren@lme.ericsson.se Igor Righetti, Ericsson Telecomunicazioni Press Manager Phone: +39 335 7749290; E-mail: igor.righetti@tei.ericsson.se Gian Marco Litrico, Director External and Media Relations H3G Phone: +39 348 5908786; E-mail: gianmarco.litrico@h3g.it About H3G H3G is the new company name for Andala 3G. Created to be the first "third generation" mobile telecommunications operator in Italy as a whole, H3G is focused on developing innovative, multimedia UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) technology-based services. As a new entrant in the third generation mobile telephone market, H3G can take full advantage of a broader frequency spectrum, allowing the company to provide its customers with a wider and more comprehensive range of services. H3G is owned by Hutchison Whampoa (78,3%) and by leading actors in telecommunications, Internet, multimedia, publishing and financing in Italy and Europe.