MetroPCS selects Ericsson as primary Microwave backhaul equipment provider

Ericsson primary supplier to deploy microwave backhaul equipment for MetroPCS
Microwave backhaul solution designed to assist MetroPCS in meeting growing customer demand for connectivity
Services professionals to provide turnkey engineering, design, deployment and support
MetroPCS Communications, Inc., the fifth largest facilities-based broadband mobile wireless carrier in the United States based on number of subscribers served, has selected Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) to provide microwave backhaul equipment. Ericsson is already a key infrastructure provider for the company's networks, including its 4G LTE network, and the microwave agreement expands that relationship. Under the four-year agreement, Ericsson will be MetroPCS' primary vendor to deploy microwave backhaul equipment to service MetroPCS' wireless broadband mobile networks, including its 4G LTE network.

Since launching the first commercial 4G LTE network in the Americas in September 2010, MetroPCS has expanded its networks to provide coverage in all of the major metropolitan areas the company serves across the country.

"The solution from Ericsson will allow us the flexibility to meet the growing backhaul demands of our wireless broadband mobile network, while we continue to expand the services that we provide our customers which allow them to do more than ever before on our 4G LTE network," said Roger Linquist, MetroPCS chairman and chief executive officer.

As the global market leader in microwave backhaul, Ericsson will deploy microwave backhaul equipment which will allow greater backhaul capacity, allowing a better mobile broadband experience for consumers who want to surf the web, download apps and stream video to their wireless devices.  Ericsson services professionals will provide turnkey services including engineering, design, deployment and support services.

"As our world becomes more connected each day, the demands on mobile broadband networks are higher than ever before," said Angel Ruiz, head of Ericsson's North American operations.  "Ericsson's technology solutions for microwave backhaul will allow MetroPCS the ability to provide the scale and superior performance needed in today's Networked Society."

Ericsson's customized microwave backhaul solution for MetroPCS will include:

MINI-LINK TN - a unique microwave transmission node, capable of handling single hops and access sites as well as advanced hub sites for large networks, optimized for traffic aggregation and capacity savings
MINI-LINK PT - a new all-outdoor MINI-LINK product optimized for packet networks, using native Ethernet over microwave
MINI-LINK SP - a multi-access aggregation platform providing a seamless migration path to the next-generation packet-switched networks
Notes to editors:

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. Ericsson is the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies, and provides support for networks with over 2 billion subscribers and has the leading position in managed services. The company's portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, software, broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and the media industry. The Sony Ericsson and ST-Ericsson joint ventures provide consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of being the "prime driver in an all-communicating world" through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 180 countries, more than 90,000 employees generated revenue of SEK 203.3 billion (USD 28.2 billion) in 2010. Founded in 1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ New York.

www.ericsson.com
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress
www.facebook.com/technologyforgood
www.youtube.com/ericssonpress