February 13, 2009 09:10 ET

Ericsson launches Evo RAN for sustainable radio networks

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN--(Marketwire - February 13, 2009) -

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) is introducing Evo RAN, a Radio Access Network (RAN) solution enabling operators to run GSM, WCDMA and LTE as a single network. This future-proof and sustainable mobile network solution is the most efficient and comprehensive on the market and simplifies network management, lowers costs and reduces power consumption. The solution also includes a new common network controller, the Evo Controller 8000.

With Evo RAN, Ericsson has developed a mobile network solution that enables operators to minimize the costs of operating a radio access network. Evo RAN combines GSM/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA, LTE, IP-based transport systems and its common Operational Support System in a fully optimized RAN

Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio at Ericsson, says: "Our customers face increasingly complex challenges in terms of operational costs, multiple radio technologies and sustainability concerns. Evo RAN gives operators an opportunity to be flexible in the evolution of their radio access network, taking the risk out of their investment."

Ericsson's RBS 6000 platform, launched last year and now a key component of Evo RAN, enables a common building practice that integrates radio, site power, transport and O&M. This energy-efficient site solution is the smallest multi-standard radio base station on the market, supporting LTE in FDD and TDD mode as well as GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/HSPA in a single package.

As part of Evo RAN, Ericsson is also unveiling the Evo Controller 8000, a controller combining BSC (Base Station Controller) and RNC (Radio Network Controller) in one unit. The unit is fully flexible and adjustable between GSM and WCDMA traffic while offering the highest capacity and the smallest footprint on the market.

"This launch is the realization of a long-held vision to develop a true multi-standard solution and also highlights our commitment to offering customers a seamless, integrated and sustainable solution," Ewaldsson says.

Evo RAN will also be available for existing GSM and WCDMA sites based on Ericsson's RBS 2000/3000 base station series. This underlines Ericsson's strong focus on future-proofing its products, further evidenced by base stations delivered since 2001 being upgradeable to support LTE.

In a special Evo RAN room at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 16-19, Ericsson is demonstrating different configurations of the multi-standard RBS 6000 base station - such as various site solutions with sustainable power solutions - along with the new Evo Controller 8000.

Notes to editors: Photos are available here: http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/photos/index.shtml

Ericsson's standard multimedia content is available at the broadcast room: www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies, Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 250 million subscribers. The company's portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of 'communication for all' through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27 billion (SEK 209 billion) in 2008. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm and NASDAQ

For more information, visit www.ericsson.com or www.ericsson.mobi.

About Ericsson's Evo RAN

Evo RAN provides a toolbox of solutions that optimize mobile operators' radio access networks while minimizing operational expenditure. The Evo RAN concept covers all solutions included in the radio access network: RBS, RNC/BSC, O&M solutions in OSS, site power, transmission solutions inside RAN, and antenna-near products (antennas, TMA, feeder, RET control).

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