Wataniya Telecom network upgrade to boost subscriber services

Deal to upgrade the 2G and 3G radio access network will enable Kuwaits Wataniya Telecom to meet the increased demand for mobile data

Wataniya Telecom subscribers will benefit from higher connectivity speeds and enriched multimedia services

With the new contract - which represents the largest Ericsson has signed to date in Kuwait - Ericsson will expand its relationship with Wataniya Telecom

Wataniya Telecom, Kuwaits leading mobile telecommunications operator and Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today announced an agreement that will see Ericsson transform Wataniya Telecoms network with an upgraded radio access network. This will allow higher network speeds and meet the growing demand for 3G services and strengthen the ongoing partnership between the two.

The transformation will also accelerate the delivery of rich, advanced voice, data and multimedia services to its subscribers and prepare the network for future mobile-data growth created by the strong uptake of smartphones and other handheld data-enabled devices.

Bassam Hannoun, CEO, Wataniya Telecom, said: Wataniya has always been a customer-driven company that provides product and service excellence. We have also been a driving force in mobile penetration growth in Kuwait and are always looking for innovative ways to enhance our subscribers experience. Ericsson is a long standing and trusted partner for Wataniya and we are certain that together we will continue to offer the best possible customer experience to our subscribers.

With the new contract - which represents the largest Ericsson has signed to date in Kuwait - the company will expand its relationship with Wataniya Telecom by transforming existing 2G and 3G networks, as well as adding WCDMA/HSPA capability on 900MHz and LTE capability on the 1800MHz band.

Anders Lindblad, President of Ericsson Region Middle East, said: By transforming the network with Ericssons latest technology and innovation, Wataniya is demonstrating how simple it is for operators to upgrade their existing infrastructure effectively, while continuing to deliver the best customer experience. This latest cooperation strengthens our partnership with Wataniya Telecom and enables us to work together towards the development of a networked society in Kuwait.

Under this contract, Ericsson will also provide optimization services, O&M support services, spare parts management, customer support and training.

Ericsson has established a successful relationship with Wataniya Telecom over the past few years, as the operator has worked with the company on a number of partnerships. These include a network-wide upgrade to the companys GSM infrastructure and an upgrade to the telecom operators charging and billing system.

NOTES TO EDITORS

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Ericsson is the worlds leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries.Today more than 40 percent of the worlds mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscribers.

We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people.Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2011 the companys net sales were SEK 226.9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

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LINK:	http://www.ericsson.com/uk/thecompany/press/releases/2013/03/1684640...
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