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Ericsson to supply full commercial EDGE system to BASE

Ericsson has been awarded a contract by Belgian operator BASE for the upgrade of the existing radio access network with EDGE technology. The contract has a total value of about USD 37 million (SEK 280 million) and will provide nationwide coverage by summer 2006.

Ericsson will be the sole supplier for a nationwide upgrade of BASE Mobile GSM network with EDGE technology.
 
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver all hardware, software and related services, such as implementation, project management, support, testing and training (turnkey project).
 
Jef Keustermans, President of Ericsson Market Unit Northern Europe, says "We are pleased that BASE has chosen Ericsson for its EDGE upgrade. This technology will support BASE in building a firm position on the mobile data services market in Belgium".
 
Thorsten Dirks, Head of ICT at BASE, says: "With our decision for EDGE we can add extra capacity to data communications, allowing our customers seamless access to new, highly advanced broadband services throughout the country."
 
The contract will mean that BASE can offer national coverage from day one. BASE had announced earlier this year that it would implement EDGE as part of a portfolio of services towards the Belgian end-user.
 
Ericsson is the leader in EDGE networks, supporting 40 commercial networks.
 
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.
 
Read more at http://www.ericsson.com

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Ericsson Media Relations
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E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

About BASE

BASE n.v./s.a. is a 100% subsidiary of KPN Mobile N.V., the mobile division of Koninklijke KPN N.V. KPN supplies mobile speech and data services in Germany (E-Plus), Belgium (BASE) and the Netherlands (KPN and Hi). At the end of 2004, BASE had 630 employees, a market share of over 17% and sales of €432 million. End of June 2005, BASE has a market share of largely over 18%. The company, with its headquarters in Brussels, focuses on specific market sectors. Since May 2003, BASE connected more than 700.000 new customers to its network. BASE is Belgium's fastest growing mobile operator.
Ericsson's longtime business partnership with BASE started in 1998, when BASE started its operations.