Ericsson leads towards first-generation truly mobile Internet with GPRS systems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thursday, April 22 1999
Leveraging its combined leadership in mobile systems and wireless Internet accessibility,
Ericsson has to date captured more than 50 percent of all contracts for GPRS systems.
For Ericsson, gaining this position for GPRS packet switching systems means a strong
position for upcoming third-generation (3G) networks
- which can be viewed as the first-generation truly mobile Internet.
This also gives Ericsson a head start as a partner for leading-edge operators to bring
wireless Internet services to the market in a timely fashion to meet new and changing user
demands.
Ericsson's GPRS systems bring packet-switching to mobile networks. The GPRS systems are a
key step for operators in moving to 3G speeds and new services in a wireless environment.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) enables a more than ten-fold increase over current
speeds of services. Furthermore, GPRS is a common evolution for both GSM and TDMA operators,
to cost-effectively and efficiently deliver wireless datacom services, like web browsing and
other IP-based applications.
The rapid take-up of mobile datacom services is being fueled by user demand for wireless
datacom and web services - similar to those available over wireline networks. According
to Ericsson, wireless operators can now enhance their offerings and provide an array of
attractive wireless datacom services to answer increasing user demands.
Ericsson signed the world's first GPRS contract in January with German operator T-Mobil.
Since then, in the three-month interval, Ericsson has won four additional GPRS contracts
encompassing North America, Europe and Asia. These contracts are a strong signal that
operators are beginning to position themselves to migrate to 3G networks.
Apart from T-Mobil, Ericsson has signed GPRS contracts with Omnipoint (US), One 2 One (UK),
Telfort (Netherlands) and SmarTone (China).
GPRS and EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution), Ericsson's speed-increasing
air interface solution, are major steps in the convergence of GSM and TDMA, enabling
users to access services in both networks.
Ericsson is also the leader in another, current datacom technology, HSCSD. Since signing
the world's first contract in May last year, Ericsson has captured well over 50% of all
contracts for this technology, now holding 10 in Asia and Europe. For users today, HSCSD
(High Speed Circuit Switched Data) is especially well suited for services like retrieving
large files from intranets or real-time applications such as video-based services.
Ericsson has maintained a leadership position in wireless datacom networks for 10 years.
The company has delivered dedicated packet data networks to wireless operators in more
than 25 countries on five continents. By combining its strength in mobility and continuing
to further embrace IP technology, Ericsson's objective is to provide users with anywhere,
anytime access.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se
Per Nordlöf, General Manager, Packet Switching Systems
Ericsson Business Unit GSM Systems
Phone: +46 8 764 1011; E-mail: per.nordlof@era.ericsson.se
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auto-processed by EriPressHandler |
