Under the terms of the agreements, each customer has purchased and will operate its own radio access network. Each operator will use Ericsson's supplied core network capacity to provide switching services and data capabilities, which initially will include GPRS, voice mail and SMS. The arrangements eliminate core facility concerns such as power, site leasing and facility maintenance.

"Managed Services is a great alternative for rural operators because it allows them to provide the same GSM service as major operators much more quickly and cost effectively than if they had to design and build the infrastructure themselves," said Gowton Achaibar, vice president and general manager, Ericsson Global Services North America. "It leaves operators free to concentrate on marketing their services to local subscribers while benefiting from providing advanced wireless services to roaming traffic."