Ericsson signs TDMA contract with Tritel

Ericsson signs TDMA contract with Tritel Ericsson and Tritel Communications announced an exclusive network infrastructure agreement valued at approximately USD 300 million (SEK 2,310 million) for Ericsson to supply TDMA (IS-136) infrastructure equipment for Tritel's PCS (Personal Communication Services) markets located in the Southeastern United States. Tritel will deploy the 1900 MHz digital systems throughout Mississippi and Alabama, as well as parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Georgia. Under the agreement, Ericsson will provide a comprehensive wireless network solution, including the MSC 2000 and 5000 mobile switching centers, operation support systems (OSS) and services. "We are very excited to be working with an industry leader like Ericsson," said Jerry Sullivan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Tritel. "We have had a superior working relationship with Ericsson in the deployment of our 850 MHz licenses dating back to the early '90s, and we look forward to continuing that relationship throughout our PCS markets in the Southeast over the next several years." "We have a very aggressive schedule to meet, and we want vendors and service providers like Ericsson to partner with us during this critical deployment period to satisfy our customer needs," Sullivan added. "We are confident that the abilities of the Ericsson management team will complement Tritel's operational expertise and assure our success in the future." "Tritel has chosen an Ericsson solution that addresses its customers' voice needs of today and serves as a springboard for mobile data applications in the Third Generation," said Skip Speaks, executive vice president and general manager, Network Operators Group, Ericsson Inc. "This agreement exemplifies Tritel's commitment to the consumer, and it supports Ericsson's vision of a wireless world where subscribers have access to information wherever they may be." "The solution that Ericsson provides will allow our subscribers to take advantage of the rich feature set across the largest digital wireless network in the United States," said William Mounger, chief executive officer of Tritel. "We are excited to have Ericsson as part of our team for the future." There are more than 90 million subscribers using TDMA/AMPS networks in more than 100 countries worldwide. Nearly 18 million of these subscribers are already using TDMA (IS-136) digital services. TDMA (IS-136) already delivers over 85 percent of the IMT-2000 functionality and is being further enhanced to deliver all IMT-2000 capabilities in the existing 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands and in the new 2 GHz band. 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 Kathy Egan, Vice President, Communications, Ericsson Inc. Phone: +1 212 685 4030 Bjorn Olsson, Excecutive Vice President and General Manager Ericsson Business Unit TDMA Systems Phone: +46 8 404 3958 Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@era.ericsson.se COMPANY INFORMATION Tritel, an affiliate of AT&T Wireless Services, will provide digital service in Lousiville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Owensboro, Ky.; Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tenn.; Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville and Mobile, Ala.; and most of Mississippi, including Jackson, Tupelo and Hattiesburg, as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Tritel expects to begin service in portions of its initial network in late 1999. Tritel Communications, Inc., an affiliate of AT&T Wireless Services, is a privately held company based in Jackson, Mississippi, with regional offices located in Lousiville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama. Tritel is a leading provider of communications services with contiguous broadband PCS licenses situated in the southeastern United States covering approximately 14 million people. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/01/26/19990126BIT00520/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/01/26/19990126BIT00520/bit0002.pdf