Ericsson wireless broadband access system, MINI-LINK BAS, goes into operation

Ericsson wireless broadband access system, MINI-LINK BAS, goes into operation Ericsson's wireless broadband access system, MINI-LINK BAS, is now in service with Nordic operator ElTele. First installations were begun in Oslo in early March, and the new network is now successfully in operation for both voice and datacommunications services. ElTele's new radio access network based on Ericsson's LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution System) technology provides users with high-speed wireless IP and telecom services. ElTele can now offer small and medium sized enterprise customers the same speed and services between buildings, which normally only are available on a LAN within single buildings. Short installation times mean that the waiting period for broadband services is reduced to hours or days. Cooperation between Ericsson and ElTele on the LMDS MINI-LINK BAS solution began in mid-1999 when E1Tele selected Ericsson as the preferred supplier for their LMDS offerings. "Our evaluation process concluded that the right choice for us was MINI- LINK BAS based on the unique capacity of the system and its future proof design optimized for IP and bandwidth demanding services," says Svein Risberget, Product and Market Director at ElTele. "Ericsson as our preferred partner has fully met our expectations, delivering an excellent solution, both from the point of view of performance and the improved broadband services we are now able to offer our customers." Ericsson's MINI-LINK BAS is optimized for wireless IP-based services. The system smoothly handles bandwidth-demanding IP services such as high-speed Internet, LAN-LAN interconnection, VPN and new real time IP services and video conferencing together with telephony services. The MINI-LINK BAS (Broadband Access System) delivers wireless access at speeds up to 37.5 Mbps. With MINI-LINK BAS, Ericsson is capitalizing on its world-leading role in microwave transmission - with more than 225,000 MINI-LINK units installed in more than 100 countries. The point-to-multipoint MINI-LINK BAS offering is based on Ericsson's proven point-to-point MINI-LINK transport network solutions. Ericsson already holds a strong position with its MINI-LINK product family with one third of the world market - more than double that of its nearest competitor. 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 Antoinette Torell, Corporate Communications Phone: +46 8 404 6782 or + 46 70 676 9279 E-mail: antoinette.torell@lme.ericsson.se Henrik Brehmer, Director Information and Public Affairs Ericsson Business Unit Transmission Solutions Phone: +46 31 747 6537, E-mail: henrik.brehmer@emw.ericsson.se Background information MINI-LINK BAS is a complete end-to-end solution, from customer services to backbone network solutions. Open interfaces and standards means that it can easily be integrated with other vendors IP and ATM products as well as with Ericsson's IP router family and ATM packet switching line. The system operates in the 21 to 31 GHz frequency band, including European ETSI bands, US LMDS bands and Canadian bands. LMDS uses new technology for ultrahigh-frequency wireless transport of services. Spectrum licenses in the US and Europe are opening up the market for fixed wireless services via LMDS. Ericsson has recently received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification for its new LMDS MINI-LINK BAS (Broadband Access System) solution in the United States. With the MINI-LINK BAS system, operators can dynamically provide users with instantaneous bandwidth allocation appropriate to their need, using available spectrum efficiently. By using shared transmissions with statistical multiplexing, operators can efficiently offer broadband access at an attractive cost level. Operators will also achieve cost savings when implementing new wireless access networks and can gain market advantage on competitive markets with a rapid roll out. The MINI-LINK BAS addresses the emerging and promising potential of the fixed wireless data market. This solution enables operators to provide telecom grade voice, leased line services and broadband data interconnections to and between office buildings at speeds unmatched by similar systems. Symmetrical LAN interconnections with speeds more than 16 times faster than traditional E1 leased lines are rapidly set-up via the airwaves that dynamically allocate capacity on demand between buildings and users. To address the emerging LMDS market Ericsson will leverage on its existing flexible production capacity and strong customer base in transmission systems. For more information on Ericsson's new wireless broadband access system, please visit http://www.ericsson.se/transmission/microwave_solutions.shtml ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/23/20000323BIT00920/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/23/20000323BIT00920/bit0002.pdf