Ericsson signs strategic AXE contract in Egypt

Ericsson signs strategic AXE contract in Egypt Ericsson has signed a strategic contract with Telecom Egypt the government owned telecom operator. The contract valued at USD 30 million (SEK 230 million) is a breakthrough for Ericsson as a supplier of complete telecommunication solutions in Egypt. The contract covers AXE local switches, access networks and Ericsson's operations support system XMATE. The systems will be implemented during 1999. The Egyptian government is currently pursuing an aggressive build out and modernization of the telecommunications network in order to increase the telephone density. The new Ericsson systems will increase the capacity of the telephone network in heavy growth areas in western and southern Cairo, Alexandria and parts of the Nile Delta. "Ericsson has been a partner for the development of telecommunications in Egypt for many years, and we are particularly impressed by the reliable AXE technology which gives us the possibility to install high capacity switches which are necessary in a heavily populated city such as Cairo," says Mr. Abdel Fattah Abou Serie, Chairman of Telecom Egypt. "Furthermore, Ericsson's strong local and global presence gives us assurance of good long-term support," concludes Mr. Abdel Fattah Abou Serie. "With these contracts Ericsson has shown its ability to offer complete solutions based on the new AXE architecture. We are very pleased to have won this contract. It is a first step in becoming one of the main suppliers to Telecom Egypt and underlines our support for the development of telecommunications in Egypt", says Mr. Tommy Johansson, Marketing & Sales Manager at Ericsson Egypt. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the 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 Tommy Johansson, Marketing & Sales Manager Ericsson Egypt Phone: +202 303 6524 Ulrika Hotopp, Press Officer Ericsson Business Unit Public Networks Phone: + 6 8 719 9246 or +46 70 328 1642