Ericsson is Westel's major GSM and GPRS infrastructure supplier, and now with EDGE from Ericsson, Westel is one of the first operators in Europe to launch commercial EDGE service.

"As market leader, Westel attaches special importance to making all important services available to our customers among the very first in the world," said András Sugár, CEO of Westel. "Ericsson has again proven their technology leadership in the wireless industry by rapidly deploying EDGE in our network."

"Westel, the Hungarian market leader, is a great partner for early technology roll-outs. Again they show their high competence, focus and innovativeness," said Staffan Pehrson, CEO of Ericsson Hungary.

Ericsson and Westel have built up a strong strategic partnership over the past 10 years. Among the firsts claimed by the two companies is the world's first commercial, full-scale MMS service launch, in April 2002, based on Ericsson's MMS solution.