The EDA equipment supports RIA's expansion of its Broadband DSL network in the region, and will provide broadband customers with improved functionality, and speeds more than 10 times faster than existing services. 

"Northern Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and the demand for broadband access from business and residential customers is outstanding," said Warren Thomson, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Internet Australia Pty. Ltd.  "Ericsson's EDA product has the ADSL2+ performance we need for our network, and Ericsson's global expertise and proven professionalism make them a reliable partner."

Ericsson's EDA DSL equipment, including IP-DSLAMs, is provisioned to offer RIA customers high-quality Internet services.  Ericsson IP-DSLAMs support the latest ADSL2+ standards, with speeds of up to 24 mbps speeds.

Installation of the additional ports is planned for completion by early 2006, extending Regional Internet Australia's coverage across Northern Queensland. RIA also plans to extend their network to cover many other regional and rural areas around Australia.

Barry Borzillo, Head of Ericsson Market Unit Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands said: "Fast-moving companies like RIA need reliable high-performing equipment and expert support. With our EDA product Ericsson has become the most popular supplier of IP-DSLAM's to ISP's all over Australia.  We are proud of being chosen by RIA to contribute to their broadband-ing of regional Australia."

Ericsson is the prime driver in IP and Ethernet based access solutions with more than 70 commercial contracts. Today Service providers around the world are using Ericsson's EDA products, now in their fifth generation, to carry very-fast Internet access, IP-TV and Telephony-on-IP.