Ericsson sole supplier of HSPA expansion and all-IP upgrade for SmarTone-Vodafone in Hong Kong

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has been selected by leading operator SmarTone-Vodafone in Hong Kong as the sole supplier for network enhancements to provide the operator’s mobile customers with a greater variety of advanced mobile broadband and multimedia services.

Under the three-year agreement, Ericsson will be the sole supplier of a HSPA-enabled radio access network, including Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), a functionality that enables mobile-TV services to be broadcast. The deal also includes a fully IP-based core network, including IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Ericsson’s Mobile Softswitch Solution, and Redback’s SmartEdge routers. The network enhancements will allow SmarTone-Vodafone to cost-efficiently introduce more new services and to further increase broadband speeds to support more advanced video and mobile applications over time.

Ericsson will also be responsible for a range of professional services, such as, network design, systems integration, spare parts management service, support services, as well as network deployment and integration.

Douglas Li, CEO of SmarTone-Vodafone, says: “This move will empower us to bring richer and more sophisticated services to cater to customers’ ever-changing demands and growing expectations. In the very near future, our customers can look forward to an even greater array of compelling multimedia services with superior user experience. Ericsson’s advanced products and solutions will strengthen our network capability and capacity, strengthening our position as one of the most advanced networks in the world.”

Johan Adler, President of Ericsson Hong Kong, says: “This is another milestone in the 16-year partnership of Ericsson and SmarTone-Vodafone. Ericsson is proud to support SmarTone-Vodafone in meeting its business needs and enhancing efficiency, and in expanding and consolidating its network to bring the latest mobile broadband and multimedia services to their customers.”

Ericsson is the sole supplier of SmarTone-Vodafone’s core and radio networks, including GPRS and WCDMA/HSPA.