STOCKHOLM -- Ericsson and Juniper Networks today announced a project with Guangdong Mobile Communications, a subsidiary of China Mobile Communications, to deploy the first commercial Multiprotocol Label Switching-based Virtual Private Network for China Mobile Communications in China. Under the contract with Guangdong Mobile Communications (GMCC), Ericsson will provide its pre-tested and verified Packet Backbone Network (PBN) Solution. Ericsson's AXI 520 series IP Backbone Routers (based on Juniper Networks M20 & M10 Internet routers) will be deployed in nine cities of Guangdong province, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Dongguan. Implementation of the project has begun, and completion is planned for end of August 2002. Ericsson will build a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) -based Virtual Private Network (VPN) onto GMCC's existing provincial backbone network. Upon completion of the project, GMCC will be able to offer highly secure, MPLS-based VPN services to its customers. As an end-to-end solution provider, Ericsson will also provide extensive customer service, covering consultation, system integration, technical support, training, and after-sale services. In a separate release: Ericsson and Shandong Mobile Communication Company (SDMCC) have signed contracts for the Phase 9 expansion of SDMCC's GSM network. Ericsson will provide equipment, software and services in the expansion. Under the contracts, Ericsson will provide equipment including Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), Home Location Register (HLR), Transit MSC (TSC), as well as software upgrading and customer services. In this expansion, Ericsson will deploy rural network solutions to perfect the network coverage in rural and low traffic areas to meet the particular requirements of SDMCC. In order to extend SDMCC's radio network coverage with the most cost-effective construction of base stations, Ericsson will provide high-power base stations RBS2206, RBS2202 CDU-A plus with Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA), as well as high-power Micro Base Transceiver Station MAXITE. Combined with Ericsson's advanced function software feature, the packaged rural solutions will enable SDMCC to further optimize the network quality of voice services for its users in low-traffic area. A series of service contracts were also signed covering GSM and GPRS network optimization, remote consulting, hardware repair/replacement and education. Ericsson AB