Ericsson Selected by Vodafone Group as a Supplier of IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY) has been selected by Vodafone Group as a preferred supplier of its IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Implementation of IMS will enable Vodafone to pilot a range of next generation communication services, with the first market implementation planned for Vodafone KK (Japan).

IMS based services demonstrate a new level of richer communications. A main benefit is to enrich and enhance the mobile experience, providing Vodafone's customers with presence enhanced applications, sharing of different media during a phone call such as pictures and video clips.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will be able to supply its IMS system, support and integration services to support Vodafone's step-by- step evolution to an all-IP network. As Ericsson's IMS enables interoperability between operators, network types and handsets, Vodafone's aim is to start interoperability testing as soon as possible.

"Vodafone intends to pilot the next generation of services based on this technology", said Detlef Schultz, Head of GSCM at Vodafone Group. "We have chosen Ericsson as a supplier for IMS because of their technology leadership in this area, which will ensure we can start interoperability testing as soon as possible."

"Our appointment as a preferred supplier for IMS further strengthens the relationship between Vodafone and Ericsson. We are honored to have been chosen by Vodafone in supporting their evolution to IP," said Anders Olin, Head of Vodafone Global Customer Account, Ericsson.

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

Read more at http://www.ericsson.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Media Relations
Phone: +46 8 719 6992
Email: press.relations@ericsson.com

About Ericsson IMS

Ericsson IMS can today provide fixed, mobile and enterprise users with a range of new services such as IMS Push to Talk, IMS weShare (combinational services for sharing media while talking) and IMS Multimedia Telephony (including IP telephony and IP Centrex). Additional IMS services will continuously be developed - by Ericsson or other companies - making Ericsson IMS a future-proof and cost-effective selection for operators.

Ericsson IMS offers services over packet based networks and is a cornerstone for an efficient IP-centric network environment. It complies with the 3GPP/3GPP2 IMS standard. Standards are critical for user adoption as they allow access to services that function seamlessly over networks provided by different suppliers. Ericsson is the leader in the IMS area with 18 IMS system contracts for commercial launch and 37 performed trials, distributed over the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.

VODAFONE and the Vodafone logos are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.

Copyright © Hugin ASA 2006. All rights reserved.

Distributed by Market Wire