Ericsson and CableTica to build Costa Rica’s first optical transport network specifically optimized for next-generation mobile networks

The transport network will provide increased capacity and multiple services to CableTica customers

CableTica can offer state-of-the-art mobile transport to new entrants in the upcoming mobile auction

Optical networks enable transport of any kind of data and enable future services such as IPTV

Ericsson has signed a five-year contract with cable television operator CableTica to build and operate a first-class optical transport network. The network will be the first in Costa Rica specifically optimized to handle the needs of the next-generation mobile networks expected to be implemented in Costa Rica this year. Ericsson will also manage the new network, allowing CableTica to leverage Ericsson’s global experience in optical networks, and offer increased network capacity and superior value to CableTica’s customers.

With more than 100 managed services contracts signed since 2002, Ericsson is a market leader in telecommunications services with extensive experience in advising and supporting operators to secure network quality, revenue enhancement and improved cost efficiency.

The new, state-of-the-art optical network is based on Ericsson’s MHL 3000 and OMS 1400 optical networks portfolios, providing increased flexibility and network scalability for CableTica’s customers while guaranteeing that the high requirements necessary for mobile transport are met. The network will enable CableTica to transport any kind of data – including television, internet and mobile backhaul – and also allow for future implementation of IPTV services. Further, CableTica will be able to offer services – such as digital television, video-on-demand and data services – in more areas of Costa Rica.

"We are proud to have been selected by CableTica as their partner of choice for addressing the increasing demand for high-quality transport networks in Costa Rica," stated Niklas Heuveldop, head of Ericsson Central America and Caribbean. "The imminent opening of the telecommunications sector in Costa Rica represents important opportunities for introducing new, exiting services and CableTica is well positioned to serve such needs."

The deal, signaling the opening of Costa Rica’s telecommunications market, is Ericsson’s first cable television deal in Central America and Caribbean. CableTica is expected to launch the new service shortly.

Ericsson is the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. Ericsson is the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies, and provides support for networks with over 1 billion subscribers and has a leading position in managed services. The company’s portfolio comprises of mobile and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, software, broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and the media industry. The Sony Ericsson and ST-Ericsson joint ventures provide consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of "to be the prime driver in an all-communicating world" through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 75,000 employees generated revenue of SEK 209 billion (USD 32.2 billion) in 2008. Founded in 1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX NASDAQ, Stockholm and NASDAQ New York.

About CableTica

At the end of the 1980s, René Picado Cozza, General Manager of Televisora de Costa Rica S.A., leader in the open television sector in Costa Rica, planned the company’s diversification by entering the paid television business. This was achieved with the family’s support: his mother, Mrs. Olga Cozza de Picado, and his brothers, president and directors of Televisora de Costa Rica. CableTica was launched in 1991 to bring subscription television to many homes in Costa Rica. Since then, the company has become one of Costa Rica’s cable television leaders, not only in the greater metropolitan area, but also with locations in Limón, Liberia, Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, La Cruz, the Papagayo Peninsula, Bagaces, Las Juntas, Ciudad Quesada, La Fortuna, Pital, San Isidro de El General, Golfito, Paso Canoas and many more areas.

Additionally, CableTica offers internet service via cable modem, continuing to lead in this sector.

The agreement between Ericsson and CableTica, led by Mr. Niklas Heuveldop and Mr. René Picado, is a clear example of CableTica’s determination to bring current and future customers the best possible services, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the market.

Since the publication of the General Telecommunications Law and the opening of the telecommunications market in Costa Rica, CableTica has been preparing to deliver all those telecoms services that can be offered through its fiber optic network installed in the greater part of the country.

About Ericsson’s Optical MHL 3000 and OMS 1410

The Marconi MHL 3000 product family is a single, versatile DWDM platform offering network simplicity and efficiency, unique agility, best-in-class performance and operational synergies from edge, to metro and core applications. A single, highly optimized and flexible realization enables MHL 3000 product family to easily scale from cost efficient edge configurations to high performing core solution, delivering any services over any networks at any rate.

The Marconi OMS 1400 is a family of multi-service and packet optical transport solutions for Metro Access networks providing carrier class Ethernet and TDM services. OMS 1400 can inter-work with either core Networks based on SDH, Ethernet or IP/MPLS. The OMS 1410 is ideal for applications ranging from high capacity customer sites, fixed or mobile Radio Access Network (RAN) backhauling or as a grooming device in the Metro Network. The product offers an ideal migration solution towards a packet based architecture enabling a fixed mobile converged network.

About Ericsson’s Managed Services offering

Ericsson has the telecom industry’s most comprehensive managed services offering. It ranges from designing, building, operating and managing day-to-day operations of a customer’s network, including end-user services and business-support systems, to hosting service-layer solutions and providing network coverage and capacity on demand. As the undisputed leader in managed services, Ericsson has officially announced more than 100 contracts for managed services with operators worldwide since 2002. In all current managed services contracts, excluding hosting, Ericsson is managing networks that together serve more than 350 million subscribers worldwide.