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Leading operator O2 has selected Ericsson as a sole supplier for its Irish HSDPA-enabled 3G network. Ericsson will also expand and modernize O2′s existing network with Ericsson IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch solution.

Under the four-year agreement, Ericsson will provide new 2G and 3G core network equipment, including mobile softswitch, and upgrade the access network with HSDPA technology. Ericsson will have the prime integrator role and will provide network deployment and systems integration services for building the network. The deployment will start immediately.

O2 Ireland will become the first Irish operator to launch a 3.6Mbps HSDPA network, providing its 1.6 million customers with the most advanced mobile network technology in the world.

Ericsson’s HSDPA solution will enable O2 Ireland to introduce a new generation of mobile broadband services, including mobile TV and video, and mobile-music-related services. With download speeds up to 3.6Mbps, O2 subscribers will also enjoy a richer communication experience.

O2 has taken important steps to an all-IP network. Ericsson IMS and Mobile Softswitch will bring both flexibility and cost efficiency. O2 will be able to offer a richer user experience; with one common system for all broadband services, users will have the freedom to access any multimedia service with the most convenient device at any given moment.

Danuta Gray, CEO, O2 Ireland, says: “Ericsson’s state-of-the-art technology and experience will allow us to provide a best-in-class end-to-end customer experience. It will also enable us to make a giant leap forward on the Irish mobile broadband market, remove the interoperability complexities of dual-vendor networks and shorten the lead time for new services.”

John Hennessy, managing director, Ericsson Ireland, says: “We are honored to be O2′s partner in transforming and expanding its network, enabling mobile broadband and the multimedia era and we look forward to a strong long-term relationship.”

Ericsson’s HSDPA solution will enable download speeds of up to 14.4Mbps later this year. The advanced technology lets operators more than double their system capacity and cuts response times for interactive services. On average, users will be able to download four times faster than with current 3G connections using existing PC cards, and 20 times faster than with a GSM/GPRS connection.

Ericsson is the leader in IMS and mobile softswitch, with more than 50 mobile softswitch networks in full commercial service and with 21 IMS system contracts for commercial launch. Ericsson has 150 mobile softswitch contracts or trials in progress worldwide and more than 50 additional IMS trials.

Bharti Airtel has awarded Ericsson an estimated USD 1 billion contract, including expansion and an upgrade of its GSM/GPRS network and managed services. The deal will enable Bharti Airtel to rapidly extend its GSM footprint in the country and increase its network capacity.

The three-year services agreement will see Ericsson manage design, development and deployment of Bharti’s network, including capacity and coverage, enabling the operator to expand in rural India and reach out to all towns and cities in 15 regions.

Ericsson will also upgrade the network with mobile softswitch (Media Gateway and MSC Servers), the solution that paves the way to an all-IP network. Bharti Airtel will be able to reduce the operational costs and introduce new services in a cost-efficient way.

Manoj Kohli, president, Bharti Airtel, says: “At Bharti, it has been our endeavor to find innovative business models to deliver a better customer experience. Our partnership with Ericsson is testament to this belief as it allows us to focus on delivering a better customer experience even as we leverage the world-class expertise of our partners to roll out our networks across all census towns by March 2007. In addition, we are also sourcing next-generation products that will allow us to deliver innovative products and services to our customers.”

Mats Granryd, managing director, Ericsson India, says: “Rollout speed plays an extremely important role in large expansions of this nature and Ericsson has demonstrated expertise in this area. We are honored and pleased that Bharti Airtel has chosen us as a partner to expand its coverage across India, particularly in the untapped rural areas.”

Ericsson is a long-term Bharti partner, managing more than 70 percent of its GSM/GPRS network in 15 regions in India.

Ericsson today signed a contract with MiTV Corporation Sdn Bhd (MiTV) to build, manage and maintain its WCDMA/HSPA network across Malaysia. The deal further strengthens Ericsson’s leadership in High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and managed services.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will provide MiTV with a complete WCDMA core and radio network, including HSPA, microwave transmission, multimedia solutions and related services. The agreement also includes a managed services contract that will see Ericsson manage and maintain MiTV’s network.

Dato’ Ir Rosman Ridzwan, MiTV chairman, says MiTV’s aim is to enhance digital opportunities in Malaysia and be the preferred 3G service provider for users who want superior quality, and exciting, multimedia-enriched mobile communication services. “Given our big ambitions, we need a strong and reliable partner with a proven track record to ensure our success. We believe that Ericsson is best suited for this job,” he says.

Jan Signell, country manager of Ericsson Malaysia and president of Ericsson South East Asia, says: “We believe this cooperation will create new multimedia opportunities in Malaysia. With the launch of an HSPA-enabled network, MiTV is well positioned to capitalize on the convergence of internet, broadcasting and telecom services that is already happening.”

The WCDMA/HSPA contract with MiTV underlines Ericsson’s position as the world’s leading supplier of mobile systems.

Ericsson has officially announced more than 100 managed services contracts with operators worldwide. In all current managed services contracts, excluding hosting, Ericsson is managing networks that together serve more than 65 million subscribers worldwide.