Ericsson and Warid Telecom strengthen managed services partnership in Pakistan

August 14, 2007, 09:30 (CET)

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and leading Pakistani operator Warid Telecommunications Limited (Warid Telecom (Pvt.) Limited) today announced a new three-year managed services agreement that will deepen the existing strategic partnership between the two companies and marks Ericsson’s first multivendor deal in Pakistan. Under the agreement, Ericsson will provide a range of new services for Warid.

The deal is an extension of an existing agreement to manage the operation and performance of Warid Telecom’s nationwide GSM/GPRS network, expanding into other parts of the multivendor network.

The new agreement covers complete network operations, including field operations and network optimization to ensure quality of the network. As part of the agreement, Warid employees from related function will be transferred to Ericsson.

The agreement will optimize Warid Telecom’s operations and strengthen its ability to evolve and expand its business. Warid Telecom will retain ownership of the network, as well as responsibility for its strategic direction.

It will also allow Ericsson to develop a longer term perspective of the managed services requirements of Warid’s network and invest in the appropriate resources, tools and processes.

Bashir Tahir, Chief Executive Officer of Warid Telecom International, says: “With Ericsson taking care of the network operations, we are able to focus on bringing high-quality mobile communications services to all Pakistanis and cementing our position in the market.”

Marwan Zawaydeh, Executive Board Member and Group Chief Technical Officer of Warid Telecom, says: “We need a reliable partner to quickly design, implement, integrate and manage our network in the markets we enter. Ericsson is able to meet our aggressive timelines and expectations, which makes it a valuable partner.”

Hans Vestberg, Ericsson Vice President and Head of Global Services, says: “The new agreement with Warid Telecom demonstrates our commitment to cultivating long-term, strategic relationships with a view to creating competitive advantages for our customers.”

Ericsson has partnered with Warid Telecom since 2004, building and managing its greenfield networks in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Notes to editors:
For more information on recent Warid announcements, visit:
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20070213-1104041.shtml
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20061109-1087408.shtml

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Media Relations
Phone: +46 8 719 6992
E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

About Warid Telecom International
Warid Telecom is chaired by a member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan. It is part of the Dhabi Group, which is a player in telecommunications, hospitality and property, oil exploration and supplies, and automobile industries.

About Ericsson’s managed services
Ericsson has the telecom industry’s most comprehensive offering of managed services, ranging from designing, building, operating and managing day-to-day operations of a customer’s network, to hosting service applications and enablers, as well as providing network coverage and capacity on demand. As the undisputed leader in managed services, Ericsson has officially announced more than 100 contracts for managed services with operators since 2002. In all current contracts for managed services, excluding hosting, Ericsson is managing networks that together serve more than 135 million subscribers worldwide.