Ericsson

Ericsson, Telstra Use Mobile Softswitch Innovation to Lift Mobile-Network Efficiency
April 2, 2008, 12:30 (CET)

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) is assisting Australia's Telstra to simplify its mobile network by deploying the world's first Mobile Softswitch Solution based on highly efficient blade technology. It will also reduce the energy use of the softswitch by up to 60 percent per subscriber.

Telstra started this transformation in 2007 when it became the first operator in the world to implement a common GSM-WCDMA Mobile Switching Center-Server (MSC-S) pool network, which is now in full commercial service. Commercial implementation of the next-generation Mobile Softswitch Solution using the new MSC-S Blade Cluster has just started.

This innovative technology provides ultra-high capacity, supporting up to eight million subscribers with only two cabinets. The footprint can be as little as 10 percent of that for existing servers, reducing energy consumption.

April 2, 2008 -- Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today announced a new contract with leading Taiwanese operator Far EasTone Telecommunications (Far EasTone) for its HSPA network expansion. The move will give Far EasTone the highest HSPA penetration in Taiwan - up to 95 percent of the population - and allow subscribers to enjoy the fastest mobile broadband speeds available.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will enhance HSPA coverage and also help Far EasTone to expand its transmission network capacity, and to enhance its mobile positioning service solutions. Ericsson will also be responsible for spare parts management service as well as support services. Network deployment and integration have started.

April 3, 2008 -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has been selected by leading operator SmarTone-Vodafone in Hong Kong as the sole supplier for network enhancements to provide the operator's mobile customers with a greater variety of advanced mobile broadband and multimedia services.

Under the three-year agreement, Ericsson will be the sole supplier of a HSPA-enabled radio access network, including Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), a functionality that enables mobile-TV services to be broadcast. The deal also includes a fully IP-based core network, including IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Ericsson's Mobile Softswitch Solution, and Redback's SmartEdge routers. The network enhancements will allow SmarTone-Vodafone to cost-efficiently introduce more new services and to further increase broadband speeds to support more advanced video and mobile applications over time.

Ericsson will also be responsible for a range of professional services, such as, network design, systems integration, spare parts management service, support services, as well as network deployment and integration.