CDMA2000 1xEV-DO in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ericsson announced a Letter of Understanding (LOU) with Vesper to supply a CDMA2000 1xEV-DO overlay system in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ericsson's CDMA2000 1xEV-DO solution will support such 3G applications as streaming audio, video and data transfers. Deployment is expected to begin in Q1 2003 and the 1xEV-DO network is expected to be commercial by mid-2003.
"Vesper has an aggressive plan to roll out 3G data services across multiple Brazilian markets and we are committed to supporting them with our leading products and expertise in 3G services and applications" said Ake Persson, president of Ericsson Mobile Systems CDMA.

Offering peak data rates up to 2.4 Mbps in a standard 1.25 MHz carrier, with a minimum average throughput of 600 Kbps, Ericsson's CDMA2000 1xEV-DO solution is fully compliant with IS-856. It can be simply added to existing CDMA2000 radio base stations or overlaid on an existing CDMA network, enabling operators to provide customers with high speed mobile Internet capabilities while efficiently utilizing radio spectrum.

"It is our goal to continuously provide advanced communications services for our customers. As the world leader in wireless technology, Ericsson is a significant and strategic resource in allowing Vesper to deliver 3G services and advanced data communications to our customers," said Luiz Kaufmann, president of Vesper.
"As the only supplier of systems for all major 2G (GSM, CDMA, TDMA), and 3G (EDGE, WCDMA/UMTS, CDMA2000) mobile standards, this agreement reaffirms a long-standing relationship with Vesper and we are proud to be chosen to supply 1xEV-DO in Rio," said Peter Kallberg, president of Ericsson in Brazil.

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.

About Ericsson's total CDMA solution:

Ericsson's total CDMA2000 solution, which includes infrastructure, applications, devices, services and proven market expertise, is optimized for delivering advanced data solutions. Developed by the industry's premier CDMA experts, Ericsson's true 3G CDMA2000 solution offers operators unique performance and cost-saving advantages by leveraging the full strength of Ericsson's expertise in wireless, IP/datacom and Mobile Internet technologies. Ericsson's CDMA2000 solution, based on innovative product design, global platforms and open standards, provides the flexibility operators need to succeed in an always-evolving wireless market.