Ericsson signs USD 550 million mobile network contract with Turkcell

Ericsson signs USD 550 million mobile network contract with Turkcell Ericsson is chosen as the sole supplier for expansion of Turkcell's GSM network in Turkey. The contract with Turkcell, valued at USD 550 million (SEK 4,510 million), further strengthens Ericsson's position as the world leading supplier of GSM systems. Ericsson will supply solutions for enhanced wireless datacom services. The contract encompasses GSM system solutions to meet an expanding consumer base for Turkcell. Turkcell will increase its network capacity by 40 % to handle 7 million subscribers, from 5 million today. The expansion is an important part of Turkcell's strategy to retain its leading position on an increasingly competitive market. By adding further capacity and coverage with an aggressive implementation plan, Turkcell can strengthen its position as the leading mobile network operator in the country. "Turkcell will obtain an even stronger infrastructure and gain a competitive edge as user demands increase for more sophisticated wireless datacom solutions," says Cüneyt Turktan, CEO of Turkcell. Ericsson signed its first mobile network contract with Turkcell in 1993. In February 1999 the companies announced a USD 520 million expansion contract, as well as WISE High Speed Internet solution last week. GSM is the world's most widely deployed wireless communications standard. Ericsson is the global market leader in GSM, with close to half of the world's more than 190 million GSM subscribers connected by Ericsson systems. More than 125 operators in some 65 countries around the world rely on GSM systems from Ericsson. 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 Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se Sören Ahlstedt, Vice President, Ericsson Telekomünikasyon A.S. Phone: +90 532 217 0903 Oksan Atilla Sanon, Turkcell Corporate Communications Director Phone: +90 212 313 11 20 E-Mail: oksan.atilla@turkcell.com.tr Company Information Turkcell is the leading GSM operator in the region with more than 4 million subscribers, including prepaid customers, as of July 1999. The company has joint ventures in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Northern Cyprus.