Ericsson launches world’s first Connected Mangroves initiative in Malaysia

• Ericsson deepens roots in Malaysia through initiative to improve productivity and sustainability of the country’s agriculture industry
• Connected Mangroves initiative launched by Ericsson, together with Minister of Communications and Multimedia, in conjunction with Ericsson’s 50th anniversary in Malaysia li>
• Solution delivers real-time monitoring of water levels, soil and weather conditions to improve growth of mangrove saplings and help rehabilitate eroded coastlines

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today commemorates its 50th year in Malaysia with the launch of the Connected Mangroves initiative that uses ICT to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture in the country.

Officiated by the Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Mohd Salleh Tun Said Keruak, at a dinner celebrating Ericsson Malaysia’s 50th anniversary and the launch of the project, the initiative will deliver real-time monitoring of critical information for the agriculture industry.

Beginning with a pilot project in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Malaysia, Ericsson has partnered with the non-governmental organization (NGO) Global Environment Centre, local technology company Luimewah (M) Sdn Bhd and the local community of Kampung Dato Hormat in Selangor to rehabilitate and connect up to 10,000 mangrove seedlings by 2020.

The world’s first project where mangrove plantation growth is monitored in real time, the Connected Mangroves initiative will enable better management of the growth of new mangrove saplings by combining cutting edge mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technologies, with Ericsson managing the systems integration and programme.

Todd Ashton, Head of Ericsson Malaysia and Sri Lanka, says: “Ericsson is a leading advocate of Technology for Good and we want to ensure our technology is a force for lasting positive change. We are using our innovations to address global issues such as poverty, human rights and climate change in public-private partnerships.

“The Connected Mangroves project is an example of Ericsson’s vision of the Networked Society, where anything that can benefit from a connection will have one, for the benefit of people, business and society”.

The mangrove saplings will be planted around sensors that monitor critical information such as soil and weather conditions, fire and water levels. The information is then compiled and sent directly to a cloud system where any of the stakeholders (farmers, analysts, NGOs and authorities) can access the data to gain a better understanding of the seedling’s status.

Ashton says: “There is tremendous potential for this system in other areas, as it can help farmers know when to fertilize or irrigate their crops, get fire alarms in real time,  and check water levels for flooding, as well as increase yields by studying crop behavior under different conditions.”

Local authorities or national governments can also use the information for early warning systems for flooding, tsunamis, plantation burning or weather conditions that could affect crops.

NOTES TO EDITORS

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Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society – a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions – and our customers – stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2014 were SEK 228.0 billion (USD 33.1 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Malaysia Corporate Communications 
Phone: +60 19 2323 531
E-mail: christina.liew@ericsson.com