Ericsson supplies D-AMPS IS-136 digital mobile phone networks to Russia

Ericsson supplies D-AMPS IS-136 digital mobile phone networks to six more regions in Russia Vostok Mobile together with Russian partners, has decided to launch D-AMPS IS- 136 networks in six regions of Russia. The networks, to be supplied by Ericsson, will be in operation in Bashkortostan, Bryansk, Novgorod, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Ivanovo by early 1999. The deployment in Eastern Europe of digital mobile phone services based on the D-AMPS IS-136 standard is set to grow significantly, following this decision. The networks supplied by Ericsson will give users the very latest digital wireless services including data and fax transmission, short message services (wireless paging) and PrePaid services. These six regions together cover an area of 350 thousand square kilometres, with a combined population of approximately 10.5 million people. The regions both have manufacturing as well as oil and chemical industries. "The Ericsson D-AMPS IS-136 networks will be based on the latest generation of mobile switching centers (MSC 150/300), together with radio base stations from the RBS 884 family. The networks will initially support 11 thousand subscribers," said Eric Franke, Vice-President Ericsson Corporatia AO. "Ericsson and Vostok Mobile have entered into a strategic partnership that will bring modern wireless communication services based on the D-AMPS IS-136 standard to these six regions of Russia. Network rollout will be rapid, with commercial service launch at the start of 1999. And we are already looking beyond the first frame agreement to continued growth of these networks in 1999 and through the millennium," Eric Franke continues. Wireless services based on the D-AMPS IS-136 standard have been in service in Russia since 1997, when the D-AMPS/AMPS network operating in Moscow and the surrounding areas region has been converted to IS-136 technology. Today there are almost 250,000 D-AMPS/AMPS subscribers in Russia. Neighboring countries have also adopted the D-AMPS standard to provide seamless roaming for users. There are over 90 million subscribers using D-AMPS/AMPS networks worldwide. D- AMPS was the first technology to be commercially available as a dual-band (800/1900 MHz) and dual-mode (analog/digital) technology. Almost 14 million subscribers are already using D-AMPS digital services. Ericsson´s 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom systems makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in telecommunications. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Dominique Jodoin, Vice President Sales & Market Operations Ericsson Radio Systems, Cellular Systems - American Standards Phone: +46 8 757 2311 Eric Franke, Vice-president Ericsson Corporatia AO Phone: +7 95 247 62 11 Eric Österberg, Communications Director Ericsson Business Area Mobile Systems Phone: +69 8 757 2159