Ericsson wins agreement in Argentina for two national TDMA networks

Ericsson wins agreements in Argentina for two national TDMA networks Ericsson has won two agreements worth more than USD 400 million (SEK 3,400 million) to supply new national wireless networks in Argentina to two newly licensed 1900 MHz operators. Both operators, Telecom and Telefónica, chose Ericsson's TDMA for their Personal Communication Services (PCS) networks, confirming TDMA as the most widely spread technology for mobile networks in Latin America. Telecom currently has a TDMA 800 MHz network in the north of the country, and Telefónica has a TDMA 800 MHz network in the south. Ericsson supplied both of these networks. The two operators will be expanding their new 1900 MHz networks nationally, with network deliveries from Ericsson starting in the second half of 1999. Full network rollout is expected within 12 months. "With the next-generation of mobile multimedia services, it's important for operators to have a future-proof technology platform and a supplier offering a clear migration path to the next level of mobile services," says Bengt Bergvall, President of Ericsson's local company in Argentina. "With Ericsson's TDMA solutions Telefónica and Telecom are building a strong foundation for future services, including wireless Internet, as well as robust, high-capacity networks for today's users," continues Mr. Bergvall. The new TDMA 1900 MHz networks will offer Telefónica and Telecom the ability to support larger volumes of users and provide a platform for personalized services. They will also enable users to roam to a range of other countries with TDMA and AMPS networks. Argentina, a country of more than 35 million inhabitants, currently has a penetration of mobile phones of 8 percent. The clear majority of these users are served by TDMA/AMPS networks. There are currently five operators of mobile networks in the country. Ericsson has delivered TDMA/AMPS systems to three of these operators, serving more than 1.5 million users. The penetration of wireline phones in the country is 22 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 Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se Bengt Bergvall, President, Compania Ericsson S.A.C.I. Phone: +54 11 4319 5510 Peder Asplund, Business Manager, South Region/Latin America Ericsson TDMA Systems Phone: +46 70 633 0000, +54 1144 207 432 E-mail: peder.asplund@era.ericsson.se TDMA/AMPS information There are approximately 95 million subscribers using Time Division Multiple Access/Advanced Mobile Phone System (TDMA/AMPS) networks in more than 100 countries worldwide. Some 25 million of these subscribers are using TDMA digital services. TDMA (IS-136) already delivers most of the IMT-2000 functionality and is being further enhanced to deliver all IMT-2000 capabilities in the existing 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands and in the new 2 GHz band. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/02/19990802BIT00160/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/02/19990802BIT00160/bit0002.pdf