OSLO, Norway, Dec. 16, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ericsson and Telenor Mobile have signed a global framework agreement for Multimedia Messaging Services solutions, the technology that offers enhanced messaging capabilities such as color pictures, photographs, sounds, animations and audio clips.
The agreement involves all Telenor Mobile operations in Europe and Asia. Ericsson will provide the MMS platform and related systems as well as network integration services. With this deal, Ericsson further strengthens its position as the global leader in MMS.
A number of the Telenor Mobile companies have already launched MMS, however, this global framework agreement will enable MMS services tobe distributed more easily across the Telenor Mobile group. The solutions open up opportunities for a series of new services and will increase traffic.
"We chose Ericsson as our vendor because of its strong position on the MMS market, both technically and commercially. By choosing one MMS platform, we will be able to develop the MMS market in a cost efficient manner by distributing products and services to our customers word-wide and with limited development cost," said Arve Johansen, President and CEO of Telenor Mobile.
"This agreement further confirms Ericsson's ability to drive MMS technology and the trust shown by the operators in our end-to-end MMSsolutions. We are pleased to be in a position where we can contribute to Telenor Mobiles' success of MMS and mobile Internet," says Steinar Tveit, Head of Market Unit Nordic & Baltics within Ericsson.
About Telenor Mobile
Telenor Mobile is the mobile business area of Telenor, offering voice, data, Internet, e-commerce and content services. Telenor Mobile is one of the world's most advanced mobile companies with a leading position in the Norwegian market and with ownership in 15 mobile operations in Europe and Asia. The total number of subscribers as of Q3 2002 is 11,6 million, based on proportionate Telenor Mobile ownership share in the companies.
About Ericsson:
Ericsson is the clear leader in MMS with more than 35 commercial MMS agreements and more than 90 trials at customer sites and through Mobility World. We have 40% of all MMS contracts with over 50% ofsubscribers worldwide. Ericsson has been awarded MMS contracts in allmajor markets.
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 www.ericsson.com/press and atwww.ericsson.com/mms/