3 Scandinavia launches HSPA

November 9, 2006

Ericsson's customer 3, switched on one of the world's fastest mobile broadband networks. The turbo-charged network is now live in Sweden.

This upgrade to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) enables 3's customers to a new generation of mobile services, including mobile broadband, mobile video and mobile music. Under the agreement, Ericsson has delivered commercial HSPA hardware, software and implementation services.

3's network is turbo charged with HSPA and more than 50 times faster than dial-up and up to five times faster than other 3G networks. 3's customers will experience network download speeds averaging 1 Mbps to 1.5 Mbps, and peak network speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps, increasing up to 7.2 Mbps next year.

Shlomo Liran CEO of 3 Scandinavia says: "We are proud to be one of the first operators in the world to launch HSPA, or Turbo3G as we choose to call it, at this speed. The Ericsson technology allows us to provide mobile broadband, initially with speeds up to 3.6 Mbps, as a substitute to fixed broadband solutions, not only for mobile users but for households and smaller enterprises as well."

Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO of Ericsson, says: "With this launch 3 is the first operator in Sweden to offer its consumer and enterprise customers the new and richer services that HSPA can deliver. Ericsson has delivered HSPA to operators on all continents and we are very proud to now be part of bringing true mobile broadband also to Sweden."

The 3 data cards will be especially useful for business users, permitting high speed data access in Sweden, advancing the way enterprises operate, making them more cost effective, productive and competitive.

Mobile workers using wireless broadband and video conferencing will be able to access information traditionally stored in the office almost instantaneously while they are on the road or at their customers.

3 and Ericsson will continue to extend network coverage and upgrade software for faster speeds throughout 2007.