Ericsson wins USD 520 million GSM expansion contract in Turkey
Ericsson wins USD 520 million GSM expansion contract in Turkey Ericsson has been chosen as the sole supplier for the expansion of Turkcell's GSM network in Turkey. A contract valued at USD 520 million (SEK 4 billion) with Turkcell, further strengthens Ericsson's position as the world's leading supplier of GSM systems. The contract includes GSM system solutions to meet an expanding consumer base for Turkcell. The operator will expand its network capacity dramatically in the near future, from today's 2,5 million - corresponding to a market share of some 70%. New operators entering the market and the start-up of prepaid services will also result in further market boosting effects. Turkcell's CEO Cuneyt Turktan comments; "We highly appreciate Ericsson's active involvement in Turkcell's fast development pace. Turkcell will obtain a stronger infrastructure and will be on the competitive edge with Ericsson's GSM systems and services." Turkcell is the largest GSM operator in Turkey, and among the top ten GSM networks globally in terms of growth rate and user base. This agreement is part of the company's strategy to retain its leading position at an increasingly competitive market. GSM is the world's most widely deployed wireless communications standard. Ericsson is the global market leader in GSM, with close to half of the world's 140 million GSM subscribers connected by Ericsson systems. More than 125 operators in some 65 countries around the world rely on GSM systems from Ericsson. 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 Sören Ahlstedt, Vice President, Ericsson Telekomünikasyon A.S. Phone: +90 532 2170 903 Mikael Eklund, Business Management Director, GSM Systems Ericsson Business Unit GSM Systems Phone: +46 70 577 1055, +46 8 404 9029 Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134, +46 8 404 2225