Ericsson secures $100 million commitment from ComScape Telecommunications.

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1996--

Ericsson's High-density wireless system Offers New Level of Urban

Communications

Ericsson today announced it has secured a commitment from Columbus, Ohio-based ComScape Telecommunications Inc. to purchase $100 million of wireless network infrastructure equipment and telephone handsets during the next five years. The initial terms of the contract, which account for $6 million of the overall commitment, call for Ericsson to deliver SuperCordlessTM and AXE 10 network switching equipment to ComScape for phase one of its C-band wireless network in Charleston, W.Va. In addition, ComScape is pursuing the acquisition of D-, E- and F-band PCS licenses in the United States and to obtain more international operating licenses.

Scheduled to go on line during the second quarter of 1997, ComScape's new wireless service network is slated initially to provide service to private and public institutions in the state's capital city. The second phase of network deployment will cover other commercial areas such as office complexes, educational facilities and hotels, with consumer service in public and residential areas going live in late 1997. The Charleston network will be Ericsson's initial deployment of the SuperCordless system.

"Ericsson's high-density wireless system represents a new level of urban communications," said Ghanshyam Patel, chairman and CEO of ComScape. "With this new system in place, we will be offering a total communications solution by combining interior and exterior phone use into one unit. This is a bold step in advancing wireless telephony and we look forward to deploying it in a vibrant and progressive area such as Charleston."

For the initial Charleston high-density wireless network, Ericsson will deliver to ComScape the SuperCordless system, consisting of an AXE 10 switch, radio exchange units, base stations and handsets. In a typical SuperCordless installation such as in Charleston, the radio exchange unit connects to Ericsson's AXE 10 central office switching system, which connects SuperCordless handsets to the public telephone network.

The SuperCordless radio access technology complies with the Personal Wireless Telecommunications standard (PWT), which is based on the global standard: Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone (DECT). DECT is the operating standard behind wireless systems in 27 countries. SuperCordless operates in either an unlicensed frequency range using PWT or a licensed frequency band with PWT-E.

"ComScape has dynamic new plans to offer wireless service to the Charleston area," said Doug Smith, vice president of sales for Ericsson Inc., Network Systems. "The city has a concentrated population, which makes SuperCordless a good fit for the area. The system doesn't require frequency planning because all base stations support all channels."

The wireless communications industry defines high-density systems as having small, unobtrusive base stations with the capacity to support high levels of call traffic. High-density systems such as SuperCordless are engineered to provide high quality voice connections to urban areas, campus environments, office complexes, residential centers and neighborhoods.

Ericsson's 90,000 employees are active in more than 120 countries. Their combined expertise in switching, radio and networking makes Ericsson a world leader in telecommunications.

CONTACT: KATHY EGAN 

LARS JONSTEG

212-685-4030