Another Major Milestone for Active Network Consolidation

* Major milestone achieved for the world’s first active network consolidation
* Ericsson activates the 10,000th shared site in the MBNL consolidated network
* Improving the environmental footprint of the network

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has announced another milestone in its managed services history by having consolidated more than 10,000 shared sites for Mobile Broadband Network Ltd (MBNL), providing increased coverage and capacity for Three and T-Mobile UK customers. By completion the MBNL network will consist of around 12,500 state of the art sites consolidating the former T-Mobile UK and Three networks, which previously numbered more than 18,000 2G and 3G sites in total.

This consolidation gives MBNL one of the most advanced, high quality mobile networks providing very high capacity mobile broadband and voice services across Britain. The consolidation has contributed significantly to improving the environmental footprint of the network and at the same time reduced operating expenses for the operator due to less power consumption, fewer sites and smaller footprint on the sites.

Graham Payne Managing Director, MBNL: “When we decided to merge the T-Mobile and Three networks we had clear targets as to efficiency gains, cost achievements, quality enhancement and extended coverage of mobile data services. This network consolidation and the benefits it brings make a real difference to mobile consumers, many of which for the first time now get access to the internet.”

Anders Runevad, President of Ericsson Region Western and Central Europe, concludes: “The success of this unprecedented consolidation process proves that new business models create win-win situations for all partners in our industry.” Under the 5 year managed services contract announced last year, Ericsson is responsible for network design, deployment, the acquisition and building of sites, capacity management, equipment swaps and upgrades to transmission facilities. Services activities commenced February 2009 and are scheduled to complete by 10 October 2010 resulting in close to 12,500 active consolidated sites.