Ericsson to further modernize and expand Grameenphone’s all-IP core network in Bangladesh

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and the leading Bangladeshi operator Grameenphone, have signed an agreement to extend the capacity of the Telenor Group company’s all-IP core network. The decision to add capacity follows tremendous growth in subscribers and resulting traffic in the Grameenphone network over the last year.

Grameenphone has seen rapid growth in recent years and in 2007-2008 traffic increased considerably. The contract with Ericsson will enable Grameenphone to improve its offering to its more than 20 million customers.

The contract covers expansion and deployment of additional parts of the GSM core and radio access network. Ericsson will also provide related support services to Grameenphone throughout the contract lifecycle. This will ensure a flexible, scalable and robust network, enabling Grameenphone to cost-effectively develop a range of innovative services.

Ericsson will provide products to Grameenphone for all parts of its GSM network and the network is future-proof for possible upgrades to 3G and products like the new-generation Mobile Softswitch Solution (MSS) including Ericsson MSC Server Blade Cluster.

The MSC Server Blade Cluster is an innovative new product that employs highly scalable and efficient blade technology. It provides ultra-high capacity, supporting up to 8 million subscribers with only two cabinets. It can reduce space requirements by a further 90 percent and server energy consumption by a further 60 percent per subscriber, compared to Ericsson’s current server generation.

Anders Jensen, CEO of Grameenphone, says: “In partnership with Ericsson, we are preparing for the next generation of our network solution. This investment in our network will help Grameenphone to meet the needs of our rapidly increasing subscriber base to keep our leading position.”

Arun Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson Bangladesh, says: “This contract reinforces our long-term partnership with Grameenphone, and we are honored to continue this relationship. This contract will allow Grameenphone to address strong subscriber growth and capture the full potential of this dynamic market.”

Grameenphone and Ericsson have been partners since the Bangladeshi operator was established in 1996.

Notes to editors:
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Ericsson is the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies, Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 195 million subscribers. The company’s portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of ’communication for all’ through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27.9 billion (SEK 188 billion) in 2007. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm and NASDAQ.

For more information, visit www.ericsson.com or www.ericsson.mobi.

About Grameenphone
Grameenphone Ltd, which started operations in 1997, is the largest telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh with more than 20 million mobile phone subscribers. Winner of three GSMA Global Mobile Awards for offering innovative products and services, Grameenphone is a joint venture enterprise between Telenor (62 percent) and Grameen Telecom (38 percent), a non-profit sister concern of the internationally acclaimed micro-credit pioneer Grameen Bank.
For more information, please visit: www.grameenphone.com

About Ericsson Softswitch Solutions
Ericsson is the leading provider of softswitch solutions for both mobile and wireline networks. Ericsson’s solutions are commercially proven and fully standards-compliant, offering efficient and low-risk evolution of existing circuit-switched networks to a telecom-quality, IP-based service platform. Ericsson solutions use network resources in the most cost-effective way to provide both classic telephony and next-generation services. More than 260 fixed and mobile networks worldwide have been commercially launched with services based on Ericsson’s softswitch solutions.