Ericsson Gets GSM Network Order From Vivo In Brazil

STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- Ericsson says it has received a new GSM network order from mobile operator Vivo in Brazil.

The contract includes the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch solution and a GSM/GPRS radio access network for Vivo, owned by Telefonica and Portugal Telecom.

The initiative is part of Vivo's strategy to build its own GSM network to further strengthen its position in the competitive Brazilian market.

Ericsson was selected as the sole supplier of the core network for voice and data, including the mobile softswitch solution, and as the main supplier for the radio network, covering the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Distrito Federal, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Sao Paulo, Sergipe and Tocantins.

Ericsson's knowledge of Vivo's network - as the current supplier of gateways, transmission equipment and field maintenance services for the CDMA network - combined with high-performance dual-band radio base stations, local competence, and local production of network nodes and components, made it the provider with the fastest rollout capabilities in this complex market, the company said.

The rich radio solution will allow a complete overlay of Vivo's existing CDMA sites, initially within the same spectrum.

The Ericsson Mobile Softswitch solution will expand Vivo's network capacity and allow the operator to introduce services quickly and cost efficiently. Mobile softswitch paves the way to an all-IP network.

Financial details weren't disclosed.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 28th August 2006