Product Launch

RNS Number:8688A
Ericsson(L.M.)(Telefonaktiebolaget)
21 March 2001


Ericsson launches world's first roaming system for PrePaid mobile subscribers

Ericsson announces its PrePaid System, the first system of its kind to enable
seamless roaming for PrePaid subscribers.  With Ericsson's PrePaid system
operators can offer PrePaid mobile users to take their phone abroad.  The
solution is based on CAMEL Phase 2.

This is the first major step in PrePaid and PostPaid convergence, meaning that
the service offering is no longer dependent on the payment method offered by the
service provider toward the subscriber.

PrePaid mobile subscriptions today account for the majority of the subscriber
growth.  According to EMC Databases 44 percent of the GSM subscribers are
PrePaid.  It is not unusual with a PrePaid penetration around 80-90 percent in
many major GSM and TDMA markets.

The new product development underlines Ericsson's position as the world's
leading supplier of Intelligent Network-based PrePaid systems.  To date,
Ericsson has sold more than 80 PrePaid systems to GSM, TDMA and third generation
system Service Providers.

The PrePaid System is based on Customized Applications for Mobile Enhanced Logic
(CAMEL) Phase 2, a standardized protocol that introduces seamless roaming for
PrePaid subscribers.  In addition to PrePaid roaming, Ericsson offers
functionality like real-time charging of SMS, parallel charging of services as
well as GPRS support for PrePaid subscribers.

For service providers, PrePaid services open up for new market segments and
improves credit control.  At the same time end-users are offered real-time
spending control and added convenience.

Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in
mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet.  Ericsson
provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to
mobile phones and other communications tools.  With more than 100,000 employees
in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the
world.

Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Eva Sparr, Director of Communications,
Ericsson Internet Applications and Solutions AB
Phone: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail]

About CAMEL
CAMEL, the industry standard that enables product interoperability with, in and
between multi-vendor networks, was first developed in 1999.  The majority of GSM
operators have tested CAMEL Phase 1, and many are getting ready to implement
Phase 2, which offers significant added revenue generation opportunities. 
Ericsson is now launching the worlds first PrePaid solution based on CAMEL 
Phase 2.