Ericsson signs first CDMA infrastructure contract with Mirror S.A. in Brazil

Ericsson signs first CDMA infrastructure contract with Mirror S.A. in Brazil Ericsson was awarded a wireless access equipment contract valued at up to USD 200 million (SEK 1,665 million) with Mirror S.A. for the largest planned Wireless Local Loop (WLL) deployment in Latin America. The cdmaOne network will help Mirror S.A. fulfill its commitments to ANATEL, the Brazilian telecom regulatory agency, by relieving demand for basic telecommunication services in Brazil. Ericsson will begin deployment immediately in the East, North and Northeast regions of Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Salvador. WLL allows for a rapid installation, compared to wireline telephony, which means that consumers will have quick access to high quality, reliable telephone service through Mirror's cdmaOne WLL network as early as December 1999. The contract includes Ericsson's 1900 MHz Radio Base Stations (RBS) 1106 Compact, CMS 11 Base Station Controllers (BSC), and a full portfolio of services including network design, deployment and training. The RBS 1106 Compact offers macrocell performance in a microcell package, enabling flexible, cost-effective network deployments. The CMS 11 BSC, which leads the industry in commercial open interface solutions, will utilize the Interoperability Specification (IOS) to connect to Mirror S.A.'s chosen switch platform. Open interfaces provide operators with increased choice in selecting network elements that best meet their needs. "Ericsson's first new cdmaOne contract with Mirror, S.A. represents a significant step forward in bringing major cdmaOne WLL deployments to fruition and reinforces Ericsson's long-term commitment to cdmaOne technology," said Åke Persson, head of Ericsson's CDMA Systems business unit. cdmaOne is one of the fastest growing wireless technologies in the world, currently serving close to 35 million subscribers. Ericsson's cdmaOne networks deliver the full advantages of CDMA technology for strong performance in mobile, fixed and data applications. cdmaOne networks offer a clear migration path to cdma2000, enabling operators to evolve their networks to provide the full range of third generation services. 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 cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Michelle French, Senior Public Relations Manager Ericsson Business Unit CDMA Systems Phone: +1 858 332 5241; E-mail: m.french@ericsson.com Eric Österberg, Communications Director Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 590 05 99; E-mail: eric.osterberg@lme.ericsson.se Company Information Mirror S.A. is a consortium formed by US-based fixed access operator VeloCom Inc. (formerly WLL International); Bell Canada International (BCI); QUALCOMM; SLI Wireless (part of Argentina-based investment firm Liberman Group); and Taquari Participações (related to the Brazilian textile conglomerate Vicunha).