Idea Cellular selects Ericsson to roll out 3G services in Delhi

• Ericsson to improve mobile broadband experience for India's Idea Cellular customers in Delhi
• Network upgrade for 5500 existing sites on 2G and 4500 hops on microwave links for backhaul networks

Idea Cellular, India's leading communication service providers, has awarded a three-year contract to Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) to drive data growth and enhance the mobile broadband experience for its customers in Delhi.

Ericsson will enable Idea Cellular to roll out 3G services in Delhi as well as facilitating the transformation of 5500 2G network sites and 4500 hops on MINI-LINK microwave links for backhaul networks.

Ericsson will deploy its state-of-the-art services such as network design, deployment and rollout, support, supervisory managed services, as well as supply microwave equipment for cost-efficient packet transport and 2G/3G radio access networks (RAN).

The new 3G network will be deployed in the 900 MHz band, a band particularly suited to improving app coverage indoors.

As part of the transformation, Ericsson will deploy hardware from the Radio System family, with Idea becoming one of the first operators in the region to deploy the Enclosure 6120 single-footprint, high-capacity, multi-flexible outdoor enclosure.

In addition, Ericsson will also provide operation support systems (OSS) for RAN and transport networks. Idea users will be able to enjoy a superior digital experience while accessing services like video telephony, mobile TV, video on demand, music downloads and online gaming, amongst many others with this roll out , subject to all necessary regulatory approvals. 

Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular said: "Idea Cellular is committed to providing a superior experience to its customer base. This partnership will enhance the data and network experience for our subscribers who demand optimum performance and rapid services at all times. 3G services and the upgrade of 2G networks will enable us to improve voice coverage and provide higher-quality services to our customers for mobile apps and services."  

Chris Houghton, Head of Ericsson's Region India says: "Data subscribers today are increasingly demanding better network quality and superior services. We look forward to working closely with Idea to expand its 2G and 3G network rapidly, and deliver superior digital experience for its customers in Delhi."

Ericsson's relationship with Idea dates back to the year 1997, when Ericsson built Idea's first two networks in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The new network deployment started in December 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2017.

NOTES TO EDITORS

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About Idea Cellular

IDEA Cellular is India's 3rd largest national mobile operator, with over 150 million subscribers. With traffic in excess of 1.75 billion minutes a day, Idea ranks among the Top 10 country operators in the world. Using the latest in 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 Cellular is an Aditya Birla Group Company, India's first truly multinational corporation. The Group ranks Number 4 globally and Number 1 in the Asia Pacific in the 2011 Top Companies for Leaders (TCFL) study conducted by Aon Hewitt, Fortune (the Global Business Magazine) and the RBL Group. It operates in 36 countries, and is anchored by more than 136,000 employees belonging to 42 nationalities. More information on Idea Cellular is available at www.ideacellular.com and on the Aditya Birla Group at www.adityabirla.com

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 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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