Ericsson supplier when Telia Mobile builds GPRS in Sweden, Finland and Denmark

Ericsson supplier when Telia Mobile builds GPRS networks in Sweden, Finland and Denmark Ericsson is to supply Telia Mobile with the infrastructure in the GPRS network in Sweden, Denmark and Finland. GPRS increases the speed of mobile networks, and constitutes a major step towards third generation mobile systems and mobile Internet. GPRS allows users to be permanently connected to the Internet and gives them access to higher data speeds. The service can also be paid for in an entirely new way: instead of being charged for the data call's duration, users can be invoiced for the amount of data transferred. The GPRS networks support Telia's strategy of becoming the Nordic region's leading wireless services company. "Telia Mobile's ambition is to be at the very forefront of all wireless communication, so that we can offer our customers the very best wireless service at all times. We see Ericsson as a excellent partner in developing the infrastructure in tomorrow's GPRS-networks," says Stefan Fägerhall, Vice President of Telia Mobile Sweden. The Swedish network will have nationwide coverage - from Kiruna all the way to Malmö. Telia Mobile and Ericsson anticipate that GPRS-based services will be available in early 2001. GPRS enables services such as permanent connection to the Internet, as well as allowing users to send and receive large volumes of data over the Internet at a higher speed than is possible today. - It´s very positive that Telia Mobile as one of the world leading mobile operators have chosen to cooperate with Ericsson in the infrastructure development of GPRS. This order thus strenghtens Ericsson´s leading position in the Mobile Internet area, says Orvar Parling, Sales Director and Vice President of Ericsson Sverige AB. Facts about GPRS: GPRS is a new technology that allows mobile networks to send packet- switched data in the same way as over the Internet and other datacoms networks. All information is divided up into packets. These packets may vary in size and are sent off as quickly as possible. Unlike the circuit- switched system, a GPRS connection will only burden the network while data is being sent, thus optimizing network efficiency. This allows GPRS to create a more dynamic and efficient utilization of the limited resource we know as radio frequencies. GPRS provides significantly higher data speeds than are possible today - up to 115 kbps, in theory. Initially, however, data speeds will be about 40 kbps. As operators will be able to charge for the amount of data sent rather than for the duration of the call, users will be able to be permanently connected to the Internet. GPRS telephones are not yet available, but most terminal suppliers expect to introduce them in the end of 2000 and to have them in stock in early 2001. Journalists who require further information, please contact: Stefan Fägerhall, Vice President, Telia Mobile Sweden, +46-8-601 83 00 Charlotte Züger, Press Officer, Telia Mobile, +46 -70-320 03 83 Orvar Parling, Sales Director and Vice President, Ericsson Sverige AB +46- 8-579 181 00, +46-70-590 48 51, email: orvar.parling@ese.ericsson.se Joséphine Edwall-Björklund, Vice President Information and Market Communications, Ericsson Sverige AB, +46-8-579 180 18, +46-70-519 16 98, email: josephine.edwall@ese.ericsson.se 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 Telia is the leading supplier of telecom-based information services in the Nordic/Baltic region. At the same time, "seamless" pan-European and global services are being realized through powerful alliances and partnerships in Europe and around the world. Annual turnover 1999 reached 52 121 MSEK and the number of employees amounted to approx. 30 600. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/05/20000405BIT00260/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/05/20000405BIT00260/bit0002.pdf