STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN--(Marketwire - Aug 28, 2012) -

* Over 35 communities in California to receive high-speed broadband for the first time
* Ericsson's optical transport portfolio provides strong commercial end- to-end Solution
* Enabling communication for all is part of Ericsson's Networked Society vision

Ericsson (NASDAQ: [ ERIC ]) has been selected by Praxis Associates as the sole optical transport supplier for the California Broadband Cooperative's (CBC) Digital 395 Broadband Project. Ericsson's packet optical transport platform (POTP), the SPO 1400, will deliver broadband services to schools, hospitals, government agencies and other critical facilities along a 583-mile fiber route in the Eastern Sierra Mountains in California.

With the Digital 395 Broadband Project, high-speed broadband connectivity will be made available to more than 35 communities, most of which have little or no access to the internet today. Private residents and businesses will benefit from retailers who will tie into Digital 395 to get faster, lower-cost broadband.

"In today's Networked Society, having access to high-speed broadband is becoming more critical than ever," said Craig Stein, executive vice president, U.S. Regions, Broadband & Media for Ericsson. "We are excited to be working with the Digital 395 Broadband Project to reach those still waiting to experience the transformational power of high-speed connectivity."

Ericsson will provide the combined strength of its SPO 1400 platform, network management and Ericsson Services to deliver Ethernet, OTN and DWDM transport for the Digital 395 Broadband Project. Praxis Associates is managing the project on behalf of California Broadband Cooperative.

"The Digital 395 Broadband Project is a significant milestone for our industry as we extend the full benefits of high-speed broadband to every community, regardless of geography," said Rob Volker, Chief Executive Officer, California Broadband Cooperative. "Ericsson's leadership in all things broadband, especially optical transport, will ensure that each of these communities receives reliable high-speed broadband as quickly as possible."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Ericsson SPO 1400 [ http://www.ericsson.com/ourportfolio/products/spo-1400 ]

Digital 395 Broadband Project website [ http://www.digital395.com/ ]

About CBC:

CBC - California Broadband Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit California 501(c)(12) Telecommunication Cooperative Corporation formed for the purposes of owning and operating the Digital 395 network, which will provide high-speed broadband services to its members on a wholesale, open-access basis. As a cooperative, the organization will be under the direction of a Board of Directors representing key institutions and constituents in the Eastern Sierra.

About Praxis Associates:

Praxis is a fiber optic network development company that specializes in developing complete broadband solutions. Praxis specialties include business case development, grants applications and administration, Rights-of-Way and Permits, local and long-haul engineering, project management and fiber construction. Praxis clients include large-scale telecommunications firms, companies and communities developing private networks, and governmental entities. Praxis is managing the Digital 395 Project on behalf of CBC. Praxis corporate offices are located in Vallejo, California with several regional offices in the project area.

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at [ www.ericsson.com/press ]

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 2.5 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's net sales were SEK 226.9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

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Source: Ericsson North America via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1636546]