Ericon selected by Idea Cellular for 4G rollout and network transformation

Idea Cellular selects Ericsson to deploy 4G/LTE network Indian telecom circles for 40 million subscribers

Agreement includes transformation of Idea Cellulars 2G and 3G networks

Idea Cellular subscribers to benefit from faster mobile data speeds and better smartphone performance

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has been selected by Idea Cellular, the 3rd largest mobile services operator in India, with over 170 million subscribers, to deploy a 4G/LTE network and to transform its existing 2G and 3G networks.

The LTE deployment will cover selected telecom circles which serve over 40 million subscribers. It will enable Idea Cellular to deliver superior mobile broadband experiences, including faster mobile data speeds and better smartphone performance, to its subscribers.

The contract covers equipment, software and a range of professional services, including project management, systems integration and supervisory managed services for 4G/LTE across selected circles for a period of two years. Ericsson will install its multi-standard RBS 6000 radio base station, which supports GSM/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA and LTE in a single cabinet and upgrade core network and operations support systems (OSS).

The agreement also includes the transformation of Idea Cellulars existing mobile radio access and core network infrastructure across nine circles for 2G and five circles for 3G.

For licensing purposes, the Indian telecom market is divided into 22 geographical zones, referred to as circles.

Himanshu Kapania, CEO, Idea Cellular, says, We are committed to offering our customers the best possible mobile experience. Transforming our 2G and 3G network will enable us to offer optimized mobile data and better smartphone performance, while our LTE deployments will take the customer experience on Idea Cellulars networks to the next level.

Paolo Colella, Head of Region India, Ericsson, says: The latest Ericsson Mobility Report shows that India added more mobile subscriptions than any other region in Q3 2015. These subscribers are increasingly demanding better network quality and superior services.

Ericssons technology and services leadership will enable Idea Cellular to transform their 2G and 3G networks and to roll out an LTE network that delivers superior broadband experiences.

Ericsson is today present in all high-traffic LTE markets, including the US, Japan and South Korea, and is ranked first for handling global LTE traffic - 40 percent of the worlds mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. Ericsson is number one in LTE market share within the worlds top 100 cities. More than 230 Ericsson LTE RAN and evolved Packet Core networks have been delivered worldwide, of which 170 are live commercially.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Idea Cellular

Idea Cellular is Indias 3rd largest mobile operator with over 170 million subscribers. With traffic in excess of 2 billion minutes a day, Idea Cellular ranks among the top 6 country operators in the world. Using the latest technology, Idea provides world-class service delivery through the most extensive network of customer touch points. Idea is listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India. Idea is an Aditya Birla Group Company, Indias first truly multinational corporation, operating in 36 countries. More information on Idea Cellular is available at www.ideacellular.com and on the Aditya Birla Group at www.adityabirla.com

Ericsson at Mobile World Congress 2016

During Mobile World Congress 2016 in Barcelona, Ericsson will showcase its unique industry insights, the latest innovation and inspirational discussions that enable powerful new business opportunities. We are in the midst of the societal transformation we call the Networked Society: a society in which mobility, broadband and cloud empower every person and every industry to reach their full potential. Opportunity is everywhere, and companies are transforming according to the role they have chosen to play in the value chains and ecosystems of the Networked Society.

Join us in our Hall (Hall 2, Stand 2N60) to learn about 5G, the Internet of Things and cloud, and to discuss the impact digital transformation can have on people, business and society.

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Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society - a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure - especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud - are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the worlds mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions - and our customers - stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2014 were SEK 228.0 billion (USD 33.1 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

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