Ericsson Press Releases

Ericsson signs ground breaking outsourcing agreement with Telecom New Zealand

Date: Thursday, December 7 2000

Today, Ericsson announced that it has entered into a five-year contract with
New Zealand's largest telecommunications operator, Telecom New Zealand
Limited, to operate and manage Telecom's entire current mobile network. The
five-year deal, is the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.

Ericsson will be responsible for operating the network, including monitoring
and surveillance of the end-to-end services, network performance improvements,
hardware support and also managing the field and maintenance staff.

"Ericsson is delighted to be extending our relationship with Telecom New
Zealand," said Göran Olsson, managing director of Ericsson New Zealand. "We
will be assisting them to be successful in their marketplace by delivering an
outstanding service to Telecom's customers."

Today Ericsson operates 20 networks around the globe. This contract, with
Telecom New Zealand, is the first where Ericsson takes over the operation of
an existing network.

"We are focusing on our customers, and therefore we were looking to a key
supplier of core network equipment to play a major role in the day to day
operation of systems," said Rob Powell, Manager Operations of Telecom New
Zealand. "This new agreement with Ericsson supports our strategy which is also
enabling Telecom to significantly reduce total operating costs, together with
the long standing trusting relationship with Ericsson made the choice easy for us."

Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in
mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson
provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to
mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees
in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over
the world.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Annika Molander, Communications Director, Division Global Services,
Phone: +46 703 15 11 42, E-mail: annika.molander@lme.ericsson.se

Alison Crosbie, Communications Manager, Ericsson New Zealand
Phone: +64 21 422 357

About Telecom New Zealand
Telecom New Zealand is the largest mobile operator in New Zealand. Its mobile
network has over one million customers connected. Telecom meets a diverse
range of customer needs with its comprehensive range of Internet, e-commerce,
data and telecommunications (mobile and fixed line) solutions for corporate,
business and residential customers.