Ericsson signs agreements with Telecom Italia Mobile for TDMA networks in Brazil

Ericsson signs agreements with Telecom Italia Mobile for expanded TDMA networks in Brazil Ericsson has signed contracts valued at approximately USD 100 million (SEK 850 million) with Telecom Italia Mobile's local operating companies TIM Nordeste and TIM Sul in Brazil for the installation of high-capacity TDMA digital wireless communications equipment in two of their four wireless license regions. Under the terms of these contracts, Ericsson will change out TIM's existing analog AMPS systems in the regions of Maringa and Ponta Grossa in the state of Parana, and in Sobral and Quixada in the state of Ceara. These contracts also include the analog to digital migration of wireless services in the major urban areas in the states of Parana, Santa Catarina, Pernambuco, Ceara, Paraiba, Alagoas, Rio Grande do Norte and Piaui. The new TDMA digital networks will enable TIM to support larger subscriber volumes and provide them with a more flexible platform for creating and delivering personalized customer services. The contracts are part of an extensive expansion program being carried out by Telecom Italia Mobile and will help meet the Brazilian government's objective of increasing the availability of telephone services in the country. Currently, less than seven per cent of Brazil's 160 million inhabitants have access to a wireless phone. Ericsson's TDMA digital systems operate on the 800 MHz band in all four wireless license regions where Telecom Italia Mobile is present in Brazil. Together, these four regions have over 71 million residents but only 2.3 million currently have wireless phone access. These contracts further strengthen TDMA's position as the dominant standard in Brazil as well as in Latin America as a whole. Virtually all countries in the region have TDMA systems in operation. 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 James Borup, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 590 9261; E-mail: james.borup@lme.ericsson.se Dominique Jodoin, Vice President Sales and Market Operations TDMA Systems, Ericsson Radio Systems Phone: +46 8 757 2311; E-mail: dominique.jodoin@era.ericsson.se Draja Mihajlovic, Director, Key Account Ericsson Telecomunicacoes S.A. Phone: +55 11 6281 1185; Fax: +55 11 6281 2095