Ericsson and Cisco partner to transform Vodafone Portugal IP Mobile Backhaul

• Ericsson and Cisco, two complementary market and industry leaders, will jointly modernize Vodafone Portugal's IP Mobile Backhaul.
• Offering the best combination of both companies: Cisco Aggregation Services Router (ASR) and Ericsson systems integrations and global services capabilities, Vodafone Portugal's IP Backhaul will be prepared for future services bandwidth demands, such as high-quality mobile video and 5G.
• Vodafone Portugal's network capacity will be expanded and data throughput will be significantly increased.

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), via its global business and technology partnership with Cisco formed in November 2015, has been selected for the Vodafone Portugal Mobile Backhaul Evolution. With a combination of forces, the two companies will jointly support Vodafone Portugal's network transformation needs. As part of this project Ericsson will deploy and integrate Cisco's Aggregation Services Router (ASR) 9000 product families to modernize Vodafone Portugal's IP Backhaul Network.

As a result, Vodafone Portugal's network capacity will be expanded and data throughput will be significantly increased. This positions the operator to meet increasing data traffic demands from subscribers and deliver high-quality customer experiences, while preparing for the future requirements of 5G networks.

Livio Borgogno, CTO, Vodafone Portugal, says: "Ericsson Systems Integrations and global services capabilities combined with Cisco's ASR 9000 series scalable IP routing, brings us the leadership in all fronts enabling a rapid transformation of our network in this fast changing environment, granting personalized services for both fixed and mobile users."

Jean-Philippe Poirault, Head of Consulting and Systems Integration, Ericsson, says: "Paving the way for 5G while meeting consumer demands for high-quality experiences is an essential capability for the next generation of mobile networks to support relentless growth in traffic, devices and applications. By complementing Ericsson's industry-leading services offering with Cisco's extensive IP portfolio, we bring the possibilities of the Networked Society closer for Vodafone Portugal and their subscribers. This is a great example of how Ericsson and Cisco are working together to create the networks of the future."

David Yates, marketing director of Cisco Service provider segment, says: "Cisco's strategy is to enable service providers to drive profitable business outcomes in a digital world.  We are honored to take part in modernizing Vodafone Portugal's IP Mobile Backhaul to help enable enhanced customer experience and seamless network connectivity, which play a role in helping them digitize the digital opportunity."

This deal builds on an existing long-standing partnership with Ericsson and Vodafone Portugal, where Ericsson has been modernizing their entire mobile network, delivering the latest LTE enabled technology over the last 5 years.

Vodafone Portugal is a member company of one of the world's largest mobile telecommunications groups. The Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 57 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 31 December 2015, Vodafone had 461 million mobile customers and 13 million fixed broadband customers.

Ericsson and Cisco - two industry leaders in the development and delivery of networking, mobility, and cloud - formed a global business and technology partnership in November 2015 to create the networks of the future. The partnership offers customers the best of both companies: routing, data center, networking, cloud, mobility, management and control, and global services capabilities. The next-generation strategic partnership will drive growth, accelerate innovation, and speed digital transformation demanded by customers across industries. Please note that the Cisco-Ericsson partnership is effective worldwide, except for Brazil. A separate partnership has been created specifically for Brazil, but that project is still subject to regulatory approval.

NOTES TO EDITORS

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.

Follow the conversation online:

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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 world's 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 2015 were SEK 246.9 billion (USD 29.4 billion). Ericsson is listed on Nasdaq OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

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