Ericsson to set up WCDMA System in the UK.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 1998--Ericsson will set up a WCDMA system in the UK to further enable network operators to gain first-hand experience of the breakthrough access technology Wideband CDMA, which will be used for third-generation mobile systems.

As the procedures for third-generation licenses in the UK are scheduled for the summer of 1999, Ericsson will initially offer operators who are planning to take part in this auction the opportunity to perform various advanced testing prior to the auctions. The system will then be used for further technical and application trials.

"Taking part in this system operation and gaining further real-life experiences in WCDMA could prove very beneficial to operators, further supporting them in getting to market quickly with third-generation service offerings. Ericsson has been active in WCDMA research for more than 10 years. We want to share the experience we have gained with the UK WCDMA system and others, which will benefit both operators and consumers," says Nils Grimsmo, Group Managing Director, Ericsson Ltd.

The WCDMA project will start in January 1999 and the subsequent tests, measurements and evaluations are expected to continue throughout 1999. Ericsson in the UK is actively engaged in the further development of WCDMA technology at various locations, including the company's R&D centers in Guildford and Burgess Hill.

Ericsson will also perform several advanced research projects on the system to gain further experience and technical expertise. The system in the UK is a complete WCDMA set up with several base stations. The system will run a variety of high bandwidth multimedia applications.

Wideband CDMA networks will support a wide range of wireless multimedia services, such as Internet/intranet and other IP-based applications, video, high-speed datacoms and interactive services.

Ericsson has been conducting pioneering CDMA research for military applications and has been focusing on WCDMA research and development for the past decade, leading to the company's excellent position to deliver these new mobile systems.

In the beginning of 1998 Ericsson delivered one of the world's first experimental WCDMA systems to NTT DoCoMo and is continuously working with NTT DoCoMo on enhanced radio network solutions. The company also delivered a similar experimental system to Japan Telecom in August. Ericsson participates in experiments on WCDMA systems with operators in Germany and Italy to further develop the technology and cooperates with operator Telia on a system in Sweden. Ericsson has had its own live WCDMA test bed in service since 1995.

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.

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