STOCKHOLM -- Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has signed a contract to deploy and integrate its latest microwave transmission solution, MINI-LINK TN, for leading Bulgarian mobile operator Mobiltel, helping the operator reduce both capital and operational expenditure.

The contract involves design, deployment and integration of the transmission network as well as support services for MINI-LINK TN software and hardware. The microwave transmission solution will provide extra backhaul capacity in the existing transport network and makes it easy to add more capacity as needed through the use of Soft Keys. This will allow Mobiltel to add new subscribers to its WCDMA network while reducing operational costs.

With MINI-LINK TN Mobiltel will be able to introduce mobile broadband and new bandwidth-intensive services at a lower cost, while expanding transport capacity and increasing network control and flexibility. A smooth migration from voice to data is ensured by the flexibility of the system as both circuit and packet traffic is handled efficiently. This will pave the way for mobile broadband services that combine TV with voice and data.

Josef Vinatzer, CEO of Mobiltel, says: "Ericsson's MINI-LINK TN enhances our traffic control and manageability, and at the same time gives substantial savings in site accommodation costs. The deployment will give us the opportunity to continue growing our subscriber base and to develop new data-intensive and multimedia services."

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)