Ericsson teams up w/ AT&T Wireless to expand mobile Internet services nationwide

Ericsson teams up with AT&T Wireless to expand mobile Internet services nationwide - Agreement covers supply of network equipment and mobile phones for AT&T Wireless' migration to 3G technology Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY) has signed a letter of intent to supply network equipment and mobile phones to AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE) as it migrates to third generation (3G) wireless networks. As a part of the agreement, AT&T Wireless will use Ericsson's R520 mobile phones to launch its General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, which will enhance the speed of mobile Internet services to U.S. customers next year. Ericsson will also provide base station systems, including GSM for voice, GPRS for packet data and EDGE and UMTS for higher-speed 3G applications. "This new agreement further strengthens our longstanding relationship with AT&T Wireless and confirms the companies' parallel strategies - to be leaders in delivering the mobile Internet to consumers as quickly as possible," said Per-Arne Sandström, president and chief executive officer, Ericsson Inc. "Ericsson supports the early introduction of next generation services by providing end-to-end mobile Internet solutions, including network equipment, mobile phones and applications." "Ericsson has been a key supplier to AT&T Wireless since we rolled out our first analog cellular networks and throughout our 2G deployments," said Mohan Gyani, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Wireless Services. "We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Ericsson as we migrate to 3G technology and put advanced wireless Internet applications into our customers' hands." GRPS services will support packet-based access to the mobile Internet at data speeds significantly faster than current mobile systems. Ericsson is already the leading supplier of GPRS networks worldwide and recently unveiled the first GPRS phone with Bluetooth , the tripleband R520. About Ericsson Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom About AT&T Wireless AT&T Wireless is among the world's premier wireless voice, data and fixed wireless communications companies, serving more than 15 million customers, including consumers, businesses and government. With annual revenues of more than $7 billion, AT&T Wireless provides service to customers around the world. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Pia Gideon, Vice President External Relations Phone: +46 8 719 2864; E-mail: pia.gideon@lme.ericsson.se Kathy Egan, Vice President, Communications, Ericsson Inc. Phone: +1 212 685 4030 James Borup, Press Relations, Division Mobile Systems Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 590 9261; E-mail: james.borup@lme.ericsson.se About GPRS from Ericsson Ericsson supports early introduction of commercial GPRS services by operators with its end to end GPRS solution including GPRS infrastructure supporting SMG 31 level of standardization (ETSI), ready-to-go mobile Internet applications as well as GPRS phones. Ericsson has a unique supplier position being first with both GPRS infrastructure and commercial GPRS phones and applications through its GPRS partner programs (MAI, Mobile Application Initiative) which now has more than 800 members. (http://www.mobileapplicationsinitiative.com) To support the early introduction of commercial GPRS services, Ericsson is ramping up the shipment of the first GPRS phone, the R520 to larger volumes supporting operators who already have implemented Ericsson's GPRS solutions. The R520 phone supports GSM 900/1800/1900 frequencies, allowing communication on one phone throughout 120 countries on five continents. The R520 is the first GPRS phone with Bluetooth and the first phone in the world supporting WAP 1.2.1. It also supports Chinese characters. Ericsson is the clear GPRS market leader, with 55 commercial agreements and has already delivered more than 50 standard compatible GPRS solutions to leading operators in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The Ericsson GPRS solution is future-proofed for third generation (3G) systems and is fully compatible with the GPRS specifications approved at SMG 31 (Special Mobile Group within ETSI standardization). ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/30/20001130BIT01020/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/30/20001130BIT01020/bit0002.pdf