· Ericsson selected as sole supplier for network enhancements by providing new core and radio HSPA network, which includes the latest RBS 6000 multi-standard radio base stations

· Bahamas will benefit from the latest mobile technology and improved services, with particular benefits for smartphone users

· Professional services, such as, network design, systems integration, and network deployment are included in the contract

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has been selected by BTC, the Bahamas subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) group, as the sole supplier of their new mobile network. Under the contract, Ericsson will provide a new radio and packet core network and its latest RBS 6000 multi-standard radio base stations, enhancing the capabilities of BTC’s network and improving coverage, capacity and quality.

BTC provides fixed and mobile services throughout the Bahamas islands, meaning that all Bahamians will benefit from the network modernization, enjoying fast and seamless mobile broadband connections on their smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. The upgrade also includes a modernization of the GSM network, which will provide better coverage, higher capacity and better data speeds on the EDGE network. As a major tourist and business destination, visitors to the Bahamas will now be able to enjoy high quality services with HSPA while visiting Bahamas.

Ericsson’s leading HSPA technology provides fast data-transmission speeds, boosts network capacity and lowers response times for interactive services. The new HSPA-enabled network will allow BTC to offer a range of new services, such as high-speed mobile internet access, video telephony, and other innovative multimedia services.

Geoff Houston, CEO of BTC, says: “An important part of our mandate is to ensure that the Bahamas is served by the most modern telecoms technology available and that our consumer, enterprise and carrier customers have access to world-class services. We know Ericsson can deliver this for us. Ericsson will vastly improve our mobile network and give our customers the exceptional experience they deserve. The new Ericsson technology will also reduce our energy consumption, which will have a positive impact on the environment”

Martin Roos, Head of Ericsson in the Caribbean, says: “We are proud to provide our customers the ability to deliver new advanced services and allowing them to evolve their networks and operations to more cost efficient solutions based on all-IP infrastructure and multi standard solutions such as the RBS 6000. The project in the Bahamas has been executed with record speed, and we are pleased that BTC has been able to launch their new network ahead of the Christmas season.”

The contract, which includes replacement of the existing core and radio network, incorporates the latest RBS 6000, a multi-standard radio base station which supports GSM/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA and LTE, providing a cost-effective deployment for next-generation high-speed mobile broadband and multimedia application services while providing subscribers with a superior user experience.

Ericsson will also be responsible for a range of professional services, such as, network design, systems integration, support services, as well as network deployment and integration.