Telekom Austria Group selects Ericsson for its multi-standard radio network and LTE

• Ericsson will upgrade 2G and 3G networks and provide LTE infrastructure for Telekom Austria Group's operators in Austria (A1) and Croatia (Vipnet)
• Users to benefit from LTE services and improved mobile broadband
• Deal helps support Telekom Austria Group's commitment to enhancing customer experience  

Telekom Austria Group is the leading telecom provider in Central and Eastern Europe with approximately 23 million customers. Soon, its users in Austria and Croatia will benefit from a smoother, faster user experience when accessing data-rich services such as video, games and music, as well as loading web pages and transferring files. This is thanks to Telekom Austria Group's decision to sign a multi-standard radio access network contract with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), which extends the long-standing partnership between the two companies. Multi-standard radio networks allow telecommunication providers to operate multiple mobile communications standards on a single network.

Ericsson will upgrade the 2G and 3G mobile networks and also provide the latest LTE technology for Telekom Austria Group's subsidiaries A1 in Austria and Vipnet in Croatia. Rollout has already started.

Thanks to the provision of LTE, A1 and Vipnet can continue to meet user demand for a smoother, faster mobile broadband experience. The operators will also benefit from having a flexible 2G/3G/4G RAN solution underpinned by RBS 6000 multi-standard base stations.

Hans Pichler, Group Chief Technology Officer, Telekom Austria Group, says: "Our users always come first and that's why we're so committed to continue enhancing the customer experience for our subscribers. We felt confident in deciding for Ericsson, already our supplier of 2G and 3G. We will be happy to see our subscribers in Austria and Croatia reap immediate benefits from having access to the latest network technologies."

Emil Nilsson, Vice President for Central Europe at Ericsson, says: "Mobile broadband plays an important role in improving daily life and this deal is in line with our mission to help provide this service to as many people as possible, thereby enabling the Networked Society. Telekom Austria Group is a long-standing partner and we are excited to help it provide its users with the best possible 2G/3G/4G services."

With this contract, Ericsson maintains its leading position in LTE and mobile broadband, currently providing coverage for 305 million of the 455 million global LTE population.

NOTES TO EDITORS

LTE media kit: www.ericsson.com/thecompany/press/mediakits/lte
Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

Ericsson to supply HSDPA to members of Mobilkom Austria group, enhancing mobile broadband (Feb 16, 2006)
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20060216-1035241.shtml

Ericsson expands WCDMA/HSPA networks for Mobilkom Austria group (Mar 8, 2007)
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20070308-1110413.shtml

Ericsson wins additional HSPA expansion and upgrade contract with Mobilkom Austria (Dec 19, 2007)
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20071219-1177183.shtml

Ericsson and Mobilkom Austria commercially launch HSPA Evolution (Mar 23, 2009)
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20090323-1299687.shtml

About Telekom Austria Group
Telekom Austria Group, listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since November 2000, is the leading communications provider in Central and Eastern Europe with approximately 23 million customers across its markets of operations. The Group is currently operating in eight countries: Austria (A1), Slovenia (Si.mobil), Croatia (Vipnet), the Republic of Serbia (Vip mobile) and the Republic of Macedonia (Vip operator), Bulgaria (Mobiltel), Belarus (velcom) and Liechtenstein (mobilkom liechtenstein). The total market of the eight countries covers approximately 41 million inhabitants. The Group has roughly 16,800 employees, revenues were EUR 4.45 billion as of year-end 2011. Telekom Austria Group's portfolio encompasses products and services of voice telephony, broadband Internet, multimedia services, data and IT solutions, wholesale as well as m-payment solutions. More detailed information is available at http://www.telekomaustria.com.

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today more than 40 percent of the world's mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers' networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscribers. 

We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2011 the company's net sales were SEK 226.9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

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