3G / HSDPA Radio Network for Cellcom

Europe : Cellcom, the biggest mobile operator in Israel, has selected Ericsson 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 ( inset ), 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."

Björn 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
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