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Newsletter: February 2004

Overview

Top Stories

EXPANDER SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP COMMUNICATIONS IN HIGH GROWTH MARKETS

Ericsson has launched a range of solutions for GSM/EDGE and CDMA2000 that will help expand mobile communications in high growth markets. Ericsson Expander will help operators address these markets more viably by providing low cost of ownership combined with high quality performance and scalable coverage and capacity.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20040206-083411.html
NOTE:
An industry analyst telebriefing on Ericsson’s Expander solutions is scheduled for 19th February. For further information and to register please go to http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/industryanalysts/telebriefings/invitation.shtml

TELIASONERA TO ROLL OUT ETHERNET DSL BROADBAND ACCESS

TeliaSonera is to roll out Ericsson's Ethernet DSL Broadband Access equipment and related services. To help facilitate the introduction of Gigabit Ethernet into TeliaSonera's network, Ericsson will further improve Gigabit Ethernet support in its Ethernet DSL Access solution.

ERICSSON TO MANAGE BHARTI’S MOBILE NETWORK IN INDIA

Indian operator Bharti has contracted Ericsson to provide network infrastructure equipment, installation and manage the operation of its GSM/GPRS network. The three-year contract is valued at around USD400 million.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20040209-105114.html

MAKING MUSIC MOBILE

Ericsson made its first appearance at MIDEM 2004 in Cannes, the leading international forum of the music industry. Visitors to the company’s booth were able to experience how music content can be delivered over mobile networks, with demonstrations including M-USE, the mobile music service developed by Ericsson and Sony Music.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20040122-101040.html

ERICSSON AT 3GSM WORLD CONGRESS 2004

Ericsson will have a strong presence at this year’s 3GSM World Congress. Video telephony, ‘Mobile Enterprise in your pocket’, Ericsson Instant Talk, and mobile media applications such as M-USE and Mobile Hits will be on show at Ericsson’s booth in Hall 1 (A15). The company is also demonstrating its EDGE, WCDMA and transmission solutions in an outdoor area. In addition, CEO Carl-Henric Svanberg will be one of the keynote speakers at the conference.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/3gsm04.shtml

Industry Viewpoint

The 'Industry Viewpoint' section offers a view from Ericsson on emergent technologies, new products and industry trends. This time, we look at how charging processes and systems need to evolve to support operators in marketing and generating revenue from new services:

CHARGING - HOMING IN ON THE CUSTOMER

The three major challenges for operators today are building customer loyalty, raising ARPU and putting in place effective revenue assurance. To meet these challenges, a new kind of business support environment is required: one that facilitates speedy service roll-out, handles a large number of partners (such as content developers), and enables the operator to be responsive to customer needs.

Implementing an account-centric approach

Ericsson believes that a convergent charging and business support environment will be key to future business success for operators. Ericsson sees charging evolving into an integral part of service delivery - rather than being an isolated function - with the traditionally separate post- and pre-paid billing systems being replaced by an account-centric environment.

A key advantage of this account-centric approach is the ability to charge in real time. This enables operators to exert better credit control and reduce revenue leakage, as well as enabling users to keep a closer watch on their spending. An account-centric infrastructure is also key to making revenue-sharing agreements work: real-time credit control mechanisms ensure that all parties involved in delivering a service are properly compensated.

Laying the foundations for relationship marketing

The account-centric charging environment will be much more tightly integrated with CRM and ERP systems than today. This will facilitate much more sophisticated market segmentation, and more flexible pricing that reflects the price sensitivity of different segments to maximize profit.

The integrated charging and business support environment envisaged by Ericsson will also help operators develop a greater level of customer intimacy: it will provide the tools to identify customers' preferences, so that service packages can be tailored and communicated to suit individual subscribers.

In realizing an account-centric infrastructure, operators are set to gain significant advantages in terms of marketing capabilities, cost-efficiency and financial risk management.
*****
Ericsson's white paper 'Convergent Charging and Business Support - the Account-Centric Approach' is available here:
Convergent Charging and Business Support - the Account-Centric Approach
http://www.ericsson.com/products/white_papers.shtml

Mobile Networks News

COMMON PLATFORM FOR WCDMA AND CDMA2000 ANNOUNCED

Ericsson has announced that it will create a common platform for WCDMA and CDMA2000. By supporting both standards, Ericsson's combined 3G solution will give operators a high level of flexibility, while enabling the company to focus its resources and streamline its 3G-related activities.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031127-080208.html

EDGE-ING IN ON THE INDUSTRY

Ericsson's EDGE success story continued in the fourth quarter of 2003. Ericsson is helping Hungarian operator Westel expand its EDGE service to 130 sites in Budapest by the end of 2004 (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031218-151552.html) and supporting Kyivstar GSM, Ukraine's leading mobile operator, with GSM/GPRS/EDGE equipment to increase network coverage and capacity throughout the Ukraine (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031217-092657.html). In the USA, Dobson Cellular selected Ericsson as a key partner in upgrading its TDMA digital wireless network in Alaska with 850MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE radio access equipment. (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031120-151312.html)

3G AROUND THE GLOBE

Ericsson also expanded its footprint in WCDMA and CDMA2000 during the last quarter of 2003. China Unicom awarded Ericsson an additional contract for phase III CDMA2000 infrastructure expansions, bringing the total announced expansion value close to USD140 million (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20040113-201808.html). Taiwanese operator Far EasTone selected Ericsson to deliver a fully integrated GSM-GPRS-WCDMA solution (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031211-112407.html). In Malaysia, Ericsson is to deploy a fully integrated GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA solution to prepare Maxis Communications' network for future 3G deployment. Ericsson and Maxis will work together to develop services such as interactive TV, live concert and sport streaming, and news-on-demand (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031204-080703.html). Finnish 2G extended its frame agreement with Ericsson to include roll-out of a 3G network, with Ericsson providing solutions for GSM, GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA as well as Intelligent Network services such as mobile positioning (http://www.ericsson.com/press/pressrel.shtml).
Ericsson also underscored its technology leadership in 3G in November when its network lab in San Diego, California, conducted a series of CDMA2000 1xEV-DV data calls on its commercial CDMA2000 1X wireless infrastructure (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031105-105112.html).

ERICSSON AND REALNETWORKS SIGN LICENCE AGREEMENT

Under a licence agreement with RealNetworks, Ericsson will integrate the RealOne player, the Helix DNA client, and the RealAudio and RealVideo codecs into its mobile platforms. This will give mobile phone users access to a wide array of Internet multimedia content.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031218-140057.html

MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPERS BATTLE IT OUT IN ZURICH

At a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, in November, Ericsson rewarded mobile application developers with its annual Mobile Application Awards. The purpose of the awards is to find the best market-ready mobile applications, focusing on services that add value by making daily life easier. To find out more about the winning applications and companies, please go to http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031126-141327.html.

SWISSCOM MOBILE FIRST TO LAUNCH M-USE MOBILE MUSIC SERVICE

Swisscom Mobile has become the first operator to launch M-USE, a new mobile music service jointly developed by Ericsson and Sony Music Germany. M-USE offers a wide variety of content from Sony Music artists, with material from other record labels to follow soon.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031114-114724.html

Broadband Access News

ETHERNET DSL ACCESS WINS WITH FINNS

Demand for Ericsson's Ethernet DSL Access solution continues to grow rapidly, with two new contracts signed in the fourth quarter of 2003. Both were with Finnish operators: KPY Networks, a major local operator of the Finnet Group, opted for Ethernet DSL Access to enhance its services for customers in multi-tenant buildings. The low cost of ownership and great scalability of the solution enable KPY to target these price-sensitive customers more effectively (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031216-130201.html). Internet and telecommunications service provider Saunalahti Group Oyj is deploying Ethernet DSL Access as part of its broadband access network roll-out to selected locations in Finland, where it aims to provide a more competitive offering (http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031208-114634.html).

Multiservice Networks News

FINNET EXPANDS IP BACKBONE WITH ERICSSON

Finnet has deployed Ericsson's Packet Backbone Network (PBN) for the expansion of its IP backbone network, enabling Finnet's network operator, Finnish 2G Ltd, to handle increased data traffic, and further improving network reliability and availability. The new IP network transmits voice, data and multimedia services at speeds of up to 10Gbit/s. Ericsson's PBN solution includes Juniper Networks routing products and related maintenance services provided by Ericsson.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031125-094647.html

Enterprise Communications News

NEW ZEALAND POLICE PASS IP TELEPHONY MILESTONE

The New Zealand Police recently passed a significant milestone in the conversion of their Ericsson MD110-based communications network to IP-based operation. All of the police force's 3,000 Centrex extensions have now been converted to MD110 IP extensions, equipped with Ericsson Dialog 4000 Series IP phones.
Ericsson is converting the New Zealand Police's entire communications network to the latest MD110 Convergence Communication System in a project that will see up to 10,000 extensions converted to IP operation as well as the implementation of the OneBox Unified Messaging platform. IP Networking will be provided between the force's 55 sites, using four core MD110 nodes. The OneBox Unified Messaging system will support anywhere, anytime access to voicemail, e-mail and fax messages.
As well as delivering efficient IP telephony, the new solution will support greater mobility - providing a better match for the Police's workflow, business processes and procedures. Future enhancements to the New Zealand Police's converged communications system will include Mobile Extension, Personal Number and Voice-Activated Assistant.
http://www.ericsson.com/enterprise/library/cases/nz_police.shtml http://www.ericsson.com/enterprise/library/press/NZ%20Police%20case%20summary%20030922.pdf

Global Services News

ERICSSON EXPANDS ITS MULTI-VENDOR TERMINAL VERIFICATION TO ENSURE PUSH TO TALK INTEROPERABILITY

To facilitate interoperability among push to talk products from multiple vendors and multiple technologies and to prevent market fragmentation, Ericsson expands its terminal verification and integration programs to address push to talk functionality.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20040204-100405.html

THREE U.S. WIRELESS PROVIDERS SELECT ERICSSON TO PROVIDE AND MANAGE CORE NETWORK CAPACITY

Ericsson has signed managed services contracts with three individual rural market operators to migrate their TDMA wireless networks to GSM. According to the agreements, Ericsson will manage and provide core network capacity on demand to each operator. By choosing this strategy, Missouri-based Chariton Valley Wireless Services, Pennsylvania-based Indigo Wireless and Georgia-based PSC Wireless will each be able to deploy a full-featured GSM network with more flexibility, and less capital and operational expense than traditional buildouts.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20040126-165106.html

WESTERN WIRELESS HANDS MANAGEMENT OF MMS SERVICE TO ERICSSON

Ericsson is to operate and manage Western Wireless Corporation's Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) throughout the US operator's domestic CDMA coverage area. Western Wireless will also benefit from relationships with thousands of application and content developers whose services are compatible with Ericsson networks, through the Ericsson Mobility World initiative. The agreement continues the trend toward managed services, which help operators reduce costs and bring new services to market quickly.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20031212-145110.html

Corporate News and Information

ERICSSON EARNINGS REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2003

Ericsson's fourth-quarter and full-year 2003 results were announced on 6 February 2004. To review Ericsson's Q4 report, please go to:
http://www.ericsson.com/investors/12month03.shtml.
For Sony Ericsson's earnings report, please go to:
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20040119-104848.html

ERICSSON STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT, BEIJING, NOVEMBER 2003

The Ericsson Strategy & Technology Summit in Beijing was an opportunity to hear presentations from Ericsson's Executive Management Team and meet with senior executives, strategists and technical experts covering a broad range of business, technologies and operations. The webcast is available at http://media.fronto.com/streaming/ericsson/031127/

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ericsson is participating in the following events:

3GSM World Congress 2004, 23-26 February

  • Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, will give a key note presentation on 'Enabling Advanced, Universal Services' (25 February, 8:40am)
  • Torbjörn Possne, Vice President & Head of System Business Area WCDMA, will give a presentation on 'Business Experience and Network Requirements in Launching WCDMA/3GSM and EDGE worldwide' as part of the Technical Summit (23 February, 9.25am)

MMS Showcase and Seminar, at 3GSM World Congress, 25 February

J. Cooke, Chair OMA IOP MMS & Ericsson, and H. Schulze, GCF & Vodafone, will give a joint presentation on 'Testing for MMS' in the GSMA Hospitality Suite at the 3GSM World Congress (25 February, 4.30pm).

Mobile Billing, 23-24 February, at 3GSM World Congress 2004

Ericsson and MTN Cameroon will give a joint presentation on the advantages of convergent real-time charging. It will highlight the advantages of using an account-centric platform - typically used by pre-paid billing systems – to combat revenue leakage, improve credit control and build closer relations with subscribers (23 February, 12:30pm).

VoiceCon 2004, 1-4 March

  • Mats Dahlin, President & CEO, Ericsson Enterprise, participates in the Executive Forum "IP Telephony: Is it time for a next-Gen IPT?" (Wednesday, 3 March, 4:15 pm)
  • Eric Ericsson, Director of Product Management, Ericsson Enterprise participates in the panel discussion IP Telephony and the Mobile Enterprise (2 March 2, 2:45 pm)
    http://www.ericsson.com/us/ericsson/events/index.shtml

CTIA 2004, 22-24 March

Mikael Strömquist, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning, Ericsson Inc. participates in a panel discussion regarding Global Network Evolution (22 March, 3.30 pm)
http://www.ctiawireless.com

The Wireless LAN Event 2004, 6-7 April

Filip Lindell, Senior Manager Wireless Strategies, Ericsson is part of the panel discussing how 'Wi-Fi could be the new GSM. How do we make it happen?' (6 April, 11.35 am)
www.wlanevent.com

CONTACTS & INFORMATION

If you would like further information about any of the stories above or would like to arrange a background briefing, please contact Eva Sparr (eva.sparr@ericsson.com), Michelle French (michelle.french@ericsson.com) for North America, or Pia Långström (pia.langstrom@ericsson.com) for Europe and other locations.