Claro chooses Ericsson to supply 3G/HSPA and advanced video services in Brazil

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has been selected by Claro - a company in the América Móvil Group, one of the five largest in the world - to implement a commercial network based on the 3G/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) technology with HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), in the metropolitan regions of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre. Ericsson is also supplying new GPRS nodes, core update and Video Gateway System.

Ericsson will be responsible for the 3G radio, transmission and core network, upgrading Claro’s existing GSM/GPRS/EDGE network, in these regions, to 3G/UMST standard. Commercial launch occurred in November this year. The UMTS technology upgrade represents a natural, standardized evolution of GSM technology for the operator.

Ericsson was chosen because it offers true end-to-end 3G solutions that lay the foundation for a smooth and cost-effective migration path from second-generation GSM networks. Due to the arrival of GSM technology in 2003, and the migration of TDMA users to this platform, there was a progressive emptying of the spectrum used for the TDMA operation by the mobile operators in the 850MHz frequency. Fulfilling the regulation restriction - which dictates that operators use the most efficient electromagnetic spectrum - Claro began operating the 3G network in this frequency.

Johan Wibergh, President, Ericsson Brazil, says: "We are delighted and proud to be the partner of choice to supply the 3G network to Claro. This new, country-wide network allows Brazilian mobile users, on a large scale, to enjoy the benefits of mobile broadband services.

“Ericsson is the leader in driving the growth of the 3G/HSPA market around the world. We have been the main driving force in the standardization of WCDMA/UMTS, and also lead the market in research and the number of patents granted.”

Eduardo Moreno, Director of Engineer, Claro, says: “3G launch will do for broadband in Brazil what prepaid did for telephony. With these new solutions, our subscribers have access to value-added services such as video, music and mobile TV up to 10 times faster compared than the GSM network.”

Under the agreement, Ericsson is also supplying a Video Gateway System (ViG). This solution is ideally placed to meet the demands of network operators and service providers to offer enriched contents and services. Claro’s subscribers have access to the most attractive end-to-end services for video calling, video streaming and video download.

Notes to editors:
Ericsson’s WCDMA/HSPA reference list:
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/facts_figures/3g_reference.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 www.ericsson.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Media Relations
Phone: +46 8 719 69 92
E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com


About Claro

Claro is one of the leaders in mobile telephony in Brazil. Established in September, 2003, the carrier covers 21 Brazilian states and the Federal District, and is present in 2,300 cities and has 28 million subscribers. Last November, Claro launched its 3G network for approximately 33 million people in 37 cities in Brazil. Subscribers from Distrito Federal and the metropolitan areas of Recife, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre already have access to mobile broadband, video calling, among other services. The 3G network is available in ten cities in São Paulo and three in Rio de Janeiro.

Claro is the leading provider for offering content and innovative services, besides infrastructure and digital covering with the GSM network. The operator has roaming deals with over 150 countries for voice services and over 100 for data transmission, in all five continents. Together, these operators are responsible for 90 percent of all the call traffic in the world.

Claro is controlled by América Móvil, one of the five largest mobile telephony groups in the world, with 143 million subscribers in 17 countries (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Ecuador, the US, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Uruguay). Created in Brazil, Claro brand was adopted by América Móvil Group in companies of other eights countries in Latin America. Read more at www.claro.com.br