Ericsson to provide Telstra national 3G/WCDMA network with HSDPA

November 15, 2005

Telstra has chosen Ericsson to provide a national 3G/WCDMA network, based on WCDMA 850 MHz. The network will connect all of Telstra's mobile customers to one national network, increasing coverage and the selection of services.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed today Ericsson has been appointed to deliver and deploy radio access equipment, core infrastructure and services in support of Telstra including design, installation, integration and project management. The parties will finalise their commercial arrangements as soon as possible.

Hakan Eriksson, Chief Technology Officer for Ericsson, said at a media and analyst briefing, that the migration to one national network would help deliver the best possible services and performance to Telstra customers across the country.

"With one national network in Australia there is greater freedom for local and international roaming, stronger community value and greater choice of handsets and services," said Mr. Eriksson.

The national 3G network will offer all Australians equivalent access to higher-speed information and access to exciting, valuable new services and experiences, such as telemedicine, distance education, public safety and entertainment video mobile services. The new network will more than triple the choice of handsets for rural customers.

The new national network builds on the existing agreement where Ericsson is upgrading Telstra's GSM network to 3G/WCDMA, supplying softswitch core and radio access network equipment, including HSDPA and network rollout services.