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Ericsson to supply HSDPA to CellcomSTOCKHOLM, Sweden --(Business Wire)-- Sept. 7, 2005 -- Cellcom, the biggest mobile operator in Israel, has selected Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERICY) as sole supplier for its 3G/HSDPA radio network, confirming Ericsson's leadership in HSDPA. The rollout will begin in 2005. The extended network will be deployed in different stages and will enable the expansion of third-generation services for Cellcom's customers. Lipa Ogman, Head of Technology Division, Cellcom, says: "Ericsson will be providing the most advanced equipment available, placing Cellcom both at the world's technology frontier and as leading operator for voice and mobile internet applications in Israel." Bjorn Eisner, President of Ericsson Israel, says: "We are pleased to be able to provide Cellcom with the most advanced 3G technology. HSDPA is vital for providing the data speeds necessary for operators to deliver mobile triple play services, a combination of mobile telephony, mobile broadband and mobile TV." HSDPA enables download speeds of up to 14 Mbps, offers operators more than double the system capacity and makes the response time for interactive services faster. Users will be able to download 1 MB of music five times faster than the current 3G connection and even 33 times faster than using GSM/GPRS. Ericsson is already at the forefront of HSDPA solutions, leveraging on its leadership in WCDMA. Ericsson's HSDPA systems are available now, with commitments in a number of customer trials. Ericsson will launch a commercial release in the second half of 2005. 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 About Cellcom Cellcom was founded at the end of 1994 and is today the leading mobile communication operator and one of the strongest brands in Israel. Cellcom is currently held by BellSouth Corporation, an American communication company; The Safra Group, headed by Joseph and Moise Safra; and the Israeli company Discount Investments, which is part of the IDB group. In near future, Discount Investments will complete the purchase of shares from BellSouth and the Safra Group to gain full control of the Cellcom. |
