Ericsson delivers first American GPRS equipment; Omnipoint begins trial of high-speed wireless data.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 17, 1999--

GSM service provider Omnipoint Communications has begun the first U.S. trials of high-speed wireless data technology using Ericsson's General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) solution. GPRS is an important step in the evolution to third-generation (3G) mobile telephone networks.

This new technology will enable Omnipoint to offer customers better wireless access to the Internet as well as a wide range of other IP-based services at speeds to reach 115 kbps. That is up to 12 times faster than current Omnipoint data rates and more than double the average speed of most dial-up modems today.

Ericsson's (NASDAQ:ERICY) GPRS solution is installed at network facilities in Wayne, N.J., serving Omnipoint's New York metropolitan area. The system is currently undergoing extensive testing, which includes integration with equipment from other suppliers. Omnipoint plans to extend the scope of these first pre-commercial trials and offer commercial services next year. Ericsson and Omnipoint signed America's first (and the world's second) GPRS contract last January.

"We are thrilled to be the first American wireless operator to initiate GPRS," said Christopher Resavy, Omnipoint Senior Director for Technology. "This is further evidence of our ongoing commitment to remain at the telecommunications forefront as a data-driven company."

This co-operation will not be limited to the delivery of infrastructure. Ericsson and Omnipoint are working together to develop the market for non-voice applications, including deployment of the latest technologies, such as Bluetooth and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

"With this deployment, Omnipoint is better poised to put the mobile Internet into the hands of its subscribers," said Jesper Eriksson, Vice President and Key Account Manager, Ericsson Inc. "From here we can expect to see considerable acceleration in the penetration of new mobile datacom applications."

GPRS introduces packet data to mobile networks, fully enabling Mobile Internet applications and a range of other advanced datacom services. By combining its strength in datacom and mobility, Ericsson's objective is to provide users with anywhere, anytime access to the Internet. Ericsson is delivering GPRS systems to more than 45 leading-edge operators in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe for GPRS field trials.

Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over.

About Omnipoint

Omnipoint currently provides advanced wireless communications services in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Southern Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Maryland. It intends to provide those services in additional areas.

Omnipoint is a founding member of the North American GSM Alliance, a group of North America's leading digital wireless Personal Communication Services companies. Using Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications technology, Alliance companies provide superior voice clarity, unparalleled security and leading-edge wireless voice, data and fax features for customers, whether at home, away or abroad. GSM is the world's most popular wireless standard, with more than 215 million subscribers in 142 countries, including more than five million customers in North America.

Other GSM Alliance members include: Aerial Communications, Inc.; Airadigm Communications, Inc.; BellSouth Mobility DCS; Conestoga Wireless Company; Cook Inlet PCS; DIGIPH PCS; Iowa Wireless; Microcell Telecommunications Inc.; NPI Wireless; Pacific Bell Wireless; Powertel, Inc.; STPCS Joint Venture, LLC; VoiceStream Wireless Corp.; and Wireless 2000 PCS. The GSM Alliance works in cooperation with North American GSM equipment manufacturers: Siemens, Motorola, Lucent Technologies, Nortel Networks, Nokia and Ericsson.

Omnipoint Communications is a subsidiary of Omnipoint Corporation (NASDAQ: OMPT). Founded in 1987, the parent company is a leader in commercializing PCS. In addition to Omnipoint Communications, Omnipoint Corporation also includes Omnipoint Technologies, Inc., a developer and supplier of wireless communication technologies, products and engineering services. As a pioneer in the industry, Omnipoint Technologies is on the forefront of developing and integrating advanced wireless technologies, such as GSM, GPRS packet data, EDGE, positioning and Internet access. Omnipoint Technologies also supplies the Eagle(TM) One wireless data communications module for integration into product applications and designs.

On June 23, 1999, Omnipoint Corporation and VoiceStream Wireless Corporation agreed to merge. On September 17, 1999, VoiceStream and Aerial Communications, Inc. agreed to merge. On October 22, 1999, Omnipoint announced that it had signed definitive agreements to acquire East/West Communications, Inc. Completion of these mergers is subject to customary shareholder and regulatory approval. When the mergers are completed, the three companies together will have licenses to provide service to over 220 million people. As of September 30, 1999 Omnipoint, VoiceStream and Aerial served more than 1.7 million customers combined.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed and the statements made in this release concerning Omnipoint's future prospects are "forward-looking statements" under the Federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that future results will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from the forecast and estimates. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, Omnipoint's limited operating history, including a history of losses and the uncertainty of future operating results, high leverage, dependence upon cash flow from its subsidiaries, debt service requirements and restrictive covenants related to its existing debt facilities, significant capital requirements, the continued buildout of Omnipoint PCS markets, and its dependence upon key employees. Omnipoint's future results may be impacted by other risk factors listed in its Registration Statement filed on Form S-3 on June 30, 1998, and other factors listed from time to time in its SEC reports, including, but not limited to, the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

More information is available on the company's Website (www.omnipoint.com).