Ericsson Expands Mobitel

STOCKHOLM -- Mobitel has selected Ericsson as the exclusive vendor to expand its GSM network in Sri Lanka. Ericsson will supply both core and radio access network equipment, including GSM 900, GPRS, EDGE, as well as turnkey network design, deployment and integration services.

This agreement complements the GSM 1800 contract that was previously awarded to Ericsson, leading to Mobitel's successful launch of mobile services in 2002, for both consumer and corporate market segments.

The current contract for deployment of GSM 900 technology, together with the existing GSM 1800, will enable Mobitel to more than double its network capacity and offer the latest and advanced features and services to its end users, thereby strengthening Mobitel's leadership in Sri Lanka.

Shuhei Anan, Mobitel's CEO, says that Mobitel had a number of very high quality and competitive bidders, but at all times had to consider who could provide the best overall solution and value for both immediate and long- term needs. "Ericsson, with its strong local presence, has partnered with us for three generations, from TDMA to GSM 1800 and now GSM 900. Ericsson understands both our business and market and is again being selected for its technology and value leadership," he says.

Bimal Dayal, Managing Director for Ericsson Sri Lanka, says that Ericsson has worked as a partner with Mobitel for many years with mobile networks, applications and services. "We are very pleased and honored to once again be selected by Mobitel for this major network investment, thus strengthening our commitment to develop the telecom infrastructure in Sri Lanka," he says.

Ericsson AB