Ericsson to expand GSM network in Serbia

Ericsson to expand GSM network in Serbia Ericsson and operator MOBTEL have signed an agreement for the expansion of MOBTEL's GSM network in Serbia, Republic of Yugoslavia. The contract is valued at USD 210 million (SEK 1,680 million). When fully implemented, the expansion will increase subscriber capacity in the network from 200,000 to one million. Ericsson will deliver and implement equipment including GSM 900 base stations, base station controllers, AXE switching and transport solutions. The contract also includes a major delivery of mobile phones to the Serbian market via MOBTEL. Implementation will start early 1999 and be completed in the first quarter of 2001. The expanded MOBTEL GSM network will also feature an expansion of the existing Prepaid System and Ericsson's MXE Messaging System to provide Voice Mail, Fax Mail and Short Message Services (SMS). "This contract represents a major expansion to MOBTEL's existing Ericsson GSM network," says Lars-Olof Lindgren at Ericsson. "The Serbian wireless market is poised for tremendous growth, and we are extremely pleased at the trust MOBTEL places in Ericsson." The penetration of mobile phone users is Serbia is currently below 2%. The Ericsson-installed GSM system began operation in November 1996. It's operated by Mobilne Telekomunikacije "Srbija" BK-PTT, more popularly known as MOBTEL. The company is a joint venture between PTT Holding of Serbia with 49 percent and BK Trade with 51 percent. 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 Jan B. Hultgren President, Ericsson d.o.o. Belgrade Yugoslavia Phone: +381 11 311 3899 or +381 63 200 844 E-mail: jan.hultgren@sea.ericsson.se Lars-Olof Lindgren, Marketing and Sales Director, GSM Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ericsson Radio Systems Phone: +46 8 404 1344 or +46 70 686 6528 E-mail: lars-olof.lindgren@era.ericsson.se Johan Wiklund, Press Relations Manager, Ericsson Mobile Systems Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@era.ericsson.se ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/12/22/19981222BIT00050/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/12/22/19981222BIT00050/bit0002.pdf