Ericsson selected by Orange as UMTS global supplier

Ericsson selected by Orange as UMTS global supplier Ericsson has been selected by Orange, part of the France Telecom group, as a global supplier for UMTS 3G network solutions. "Ericsson's GPRS and UMTS solutions provide operators a smooth migration to third generation systems and services which optimize their existing investments," states Guy Roussel, Executive Vice President, Ericsson France responsible for France Telecom account worldwide. "This success is a result of the strong focus and investments in R&D which Ericsson has made over the past ten years, particularly in third generation infrastructure," adds Torbjörn Folkebrant, Director General of Ericsson France. This announcement by Orange reconfirms Ericsson's leading position in mobile Internet. Ericsson has to date been named in 17 of 22 third generation commercial agreements in the world. Ericsson is well positioned for 3G roll out with a new production facility for 3G base stations recently inaugurated in Gävle, Sweden and the announcement of two further production facilities for 3G infrastructure equipment, one in Sweden and one in the U.S. The company has also entered into co-operation agreements with construction companies Skanska and NCC to meet market demands for rapid building of turnkey 3G networks worldwide, and has recently acquired Microwave Power Devices, a market leader in microwave linear high power amplifiers, vital elements in 3G systems. Ericsson is in a unique position of global market leadership in mobile infrastructure. The company is larger than its two closest competitors combined, with 30 percent market share in mobile systems of all standards and 40 percent in GSM, the world's most widely deployed current generation standard. Ericsson is the only supplier to offer all major mobile standards, from the first through the third generations. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Press Office, Division Mobile Systems Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 699 9412; E-mail: press.mobilesystems@lme.ericsson.se Laurent Roullot, Communications Manager, Ericsson France Phone: +33 1 64 47 68 68; E-mail: laurent.roullot@esf.ericsson.se Reference material http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom/referencematerial/3g_referencelist.shtml http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom/referencematerial/gprs_referencelist.shtml ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/10/27/20001027BIT01000/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/10/27/20001027BIT01000/bit0002.pdf