Ericsson to provide fiber optic cable to Aerie Networks in the U.S.

Business Editors/Datacom & Telecom Writers

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2001

Aerie Networks has contracted Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY) to provide fiber optic cable for the largest broadband network in the U.S.

The contract is valued in excess of USD 300 million over three years.

"As a Network Host(SM), Aerie is creating a platform on which others can build and operate their networks. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of fiber optic cable and as an industry leader in optical fiber ribbon technologies for long-haul networks, Ericsson is the perfect technology partner for Aerie," said Mort Aaronson, Aerie President and Chief Operating Officer. "This partnership represents a significant commitment by both companies to the successful implementation of the largest inter-city, broadband network eve envisioned in the U.S."

"Aerie Networks' high capacity broadband network is one of the more interesting projects in this business," said Janne Sjoden, President of Ericsson Network Technologies. "We are providing a customized 432 fiber count cable as well as network materials to Aerie. We believe that our experience and competence of mass fiber infrastructure will speed up roll out and increase cost efficiency for Aerie."

Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of Mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world.

About Aerie Networks

Aerie Networks is the first company to build and operate a broadband technology and business platform designed to host an infinite number of new networks with the bandwidth capacity to permanently change the industry. Aerie offers the highest capacity - more than 8.9 million fiber miles of Corning(R) LEAF(R) fiber - inter-city network in the United States. Aerie's unique broadband network consists of 20,000 miles of alternative path, city-to-city routes, which connect more than 194 cities and serve over 90 percent of the U.S. business market.

Headquartered in Denver, Aerie Networks was founded by executives with experience in every aspect of designing, financing, constructing, engineering and marketing networks with key industry players, including AT&T, Intel, LCI, Lucent Technologies, MCI, Nortel, Qwest, Sprint, Sprint PCS, and Williams. Investors in Aerie include: Vantage Point Venture Partners, BP Amoco, Buckeye Partners, L.P., CMS Energy Corporation, Explorer Pipeline Company, Kinder Morgan, Marathon Ashland Pipe Line LLC, National Fuel Gas, Plantation Pipe Line Company, PG&E Corporation, Sempra Communications, Sun Pipe Line Company and TEPPCO. For more information on Aerie Networks, please visit the web site at www.aerienetworks.com

About Ericsson Network Technologies AB

The company offers system solutions for telecommunication networks, with focus on fiber optic infrastructure and the integration of copper, fiber optic, and wireless technologies. Customers are telephone operators, property management companies, proprietors of public and private networks, utility companies, and vendors of telecommunications systems. For more information on Ericsson Network Technologies, please visit the web site at www.ericsson.se/networktechnologies

Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom