STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN--(Marketwire - Feb 24, 2012) -

* Ericsson completing massive upgrade of 3 Italia's mobile backhaul network from Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) to full-IP transport

* The upgrade will increase the network's capacity and enable downlink speeds of up to 42Mbps

* Upgrade to meet 3 Italia's customers' expectations for speed on all mobile devices

Ericsson (NASDAQ: [ ERIC ]) will soon complete an extensive upgrade of 3 Italia's backhaul network. 3 Italia - a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, which pioneered the 3G era - will then be able to offer its customers downlink speeds of up to 42Mbps. Within the scope of the project, initiated in 2011, Ericsson is upgrading and evolving 3 Italia's network architecture and helping the operator migrate to an end-to-end, full-IP backhaul and access architecture.

Dina Ravera, Chief Operating Officer, 3 Italia, says: "Since our world-first launch of UMTS in 2003, we have taken a proactive approach to building and maintaining a state-of-the-art network for our customers. Consumers expect a fast and reliable 3G network that meets their requirements when accessing their voice, video, internet and mobile TV services via mobile devices. We have a long-standing relationship with Ericsson, which supplies us with radio-access networks (RANs) and services, and we are happy that Ericsson is now also our technology and services partner for our backhaul network."

Ericsson is the sole supplier of the upgrade, responsible for design, installation and system integration. The upgrade includes Ericsson's microwave MINI-LINK products, its optical Smart Packet Optical (SPO) 1400 products and its SmartEdge 600 Multi-Service Edge Router.

Nunzio Mirtillo, Head of Region Mediterranean, Ericsson, says: "As data consumption grows due to the massive uptake of mobile broadband, network operators need to upgrade all parts of their networks - not just the radio access network. 3 Italia's backhaul upgrade will provide the operator's end- users with fast data services, improving the end-user experience on all devices. I am pleased that Ericsson is now involved in this part of 3 Italia's network."

The relationship between 3 Italia and Ericsson dates back to 2001, when the operator selected its UMTS suppliers. In 2005, the two parties signed one of the largest managed services contracts in the telecom industry. On June 5, 2009, 3 Italia awarded Ericsson a network transformation deal to upgrade its WCDMA/HSPA network and extending the managed services deal.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Ericsson Mobile Backhaul solution: [ http://www.ericsson.com/ourportfolio/network/ericsson-mobile-backhaul?nav=networkareacategory004%7Cfgb_101_686 ]

Ericsson Microwave Networks: [ http://www.ericsson.com/ourportfolio/products/microwave-networks ]

Ericsson Managed Services:

[ http://www.ericsson.com/ourportfolio/telecom-operators/managed-services ]

Ericsson Network Rollout:

[ http://www.ericsson.com/ourportfolio/services/network-roll-out ]

Our multimedia content is available at the broadcast room: [ www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room ]

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today more than 40 percent of the world's mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers' networks servicing more than 2 billion subscribers.

We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2011 the company had revenues of SEK 226,9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

 www.ericsson.com www.twitter.com/ericssonpress www.facebook.com/technologyforgood www.youtube.com/ericssonpress 

Press release as PDF: [ http://hugin.info/1061/R/1588518/498551.pdf ]

This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:

(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and

(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Ericsson via Thomson Reuters ONE

[HUG#1588518]