V'fone Picks Ericsson HSDPA

STOCKHOLM -- Vodafone announced today the commercial launch of its MobileBroadband offering, supported by Ericsson's (NASDAQ: ERICY) HSDPA solution.

HSDPA will be available first in the German cities Hanover,Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Munich and eventually throughout the entireWCDMA network, which today covers more than 70 percent of thepopulation. Vodafone will promote HSDPA as "UMTS Broadband" to theirGerman customers.

Hartmut Kremling, CTO, Vodafone in Germany says: "With UMTSBroadband, i.e. HSDPA, 3G moves to the fast track. Together withEricsson we will push the fast roll-out in our 3G net accordingly."

Jef Keustermans, President, Ericsson Northern Europe says: "We areproud to support Vodafone with the introduction of Mobile Broadbandand to continue our successful partnership. HSDPA will enhance theend-user experience to both consumer and enterprise users throughhigher data speeds and everywhere coverage."

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)