Ericsson selected to deliver new Vodafone 3G infrastructure

Ericsson selected to deliver new Vodafone 3G infrastructure Ericsson has been selected as the principal supplier of third-generation (3G) infrastructure for the UK rollout of Vodafone's new 3G network, enabling the next generation of mobile communications services. Vodafone recently succeeded in winning the largest license available to it in the auction held by the UK government. The new 3G network will be commercially operational in 2002, delivering a new generation of services, including full Internet, video-conferencing and many multimedia services to Vodafone's customers. Ericsson and Vodafone have together been trialing 3G multimedia services, giving both companies first hand practical experience in the deployment of 3G networks. "I am delighted for Ericsson to have been chosen by Vodafone to play a key role in their expansion into 3G, building on the long-term relationship between our two companies," said Kurt Hellström, President of Ericsson. Based on WCDMA technology, Ericsson's 3G system to be supplied can also be referred to as UMTS, a European denomination for 3G. UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. Vodafone is the first UK operator to select Ericsson's 3G WCDMA system. Ericsson has worked with Vodafone as a network infrastructure supplier since the operator launched the UK's first mobile phone network in January 1985. Peter Bamford, Chief Executive of Vodafone UK Limited, said: "Ericsson has been a strategic partner of Vodafone for many years and we are delighted to further strengthen this relationship by working together on the speedy rollout of our UK 3G network." Both Ericsson and Vodafone are very active within the international committees working on common standards for 3G technology. In support of its commitment to open standards, Ericsson has agreed to work with Vodafone to enable the introduction of other vendors' products into Vodafone's 3G network, which is expected to commence service in the first quarter of 2002. 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 Paula Wagstaff, Media Relations Director, Ericsson Ltd. (UK) Phone: +44 1444 234 354; E-mail: paula.wagstaff@etl.ericsson.se James Borup, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 8 757 5612; E-mail: james.borup@lme.ericsson.se Mike Caldwell, Corporate Communications Director Corinne Norris, Senior Communications Manager Vodafone Group Press Office Phone: +44 (0) 7000 500100; E-mail: press.office@vf.vodafone.co.uk Ericsson's end-to-end 3G solutions Ericsson is leading the development of 3G mobile communications and the transition to 3G systems. Ericsson offers a smooth transition path from all 2G systems to 3G systems based on WCDMA, cdma2000 and EDGE. Ericsson is the only supplier with a full range of both second and third generation systems. The company offers a 3G portfolio with end-to-end solutions, including terminals, applications and infrastructure. Ericsson has already announced 3G pilot systems on three continents, leveraging the company's more than 10 years of research in 3G technologies. The company has set up more than 10 3G pilot systems in Canada, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, UK, U.S., Spain and Sweden. WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) is one of the third generation radio interface technologies that is optimized for wideband radio access to support high-speed multimedia services such as video conferencing and Internet, as well as voice calls. WCDMA allows the wireless bandwidth to be tailored efficiently to the needs of each individual call, whether it is voice, data or multimedia. It can handle both packet and circuit switched services. Multiple calls of different types can be simultaneously made. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/16/20000516BIT00020/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/16/20000516BIT00020/bit0002.pdf