Ericsson keymaster for seven digital cities in Greece

New Europe /News Corporation S.A.
December 17, 2007

Ericsson keymaster for seven digital cities in Greece

Ericsson took another step into the Balkans when it signed turnkey
contracts as the total solution provider and prime integrator of
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) to support the launch of seven digital
cities across Greece.Under the agreements, Ericsson will supply and
install fiber optic telecommunications networks in the municipalities of
Agrinio, Chania, Ermoupolis, Ierapetra, Iraklio, Kozani and Rethymno.
The networks will initially link municipal buildings, such as the
general hospital, town hall, schools and universities. The move is set
to bolster public infrastructure for citizens and will provide
high-speed, premium quality broadband services to support innovative
next-generation services. In addition to the FTTx (Fiber-to-the-
Premises) backbone telecommunications infrastructure, the contract also
includes switching and WiFi systems. Spyros Nikolaou, president and
responsible in Ericsson Greece, Cyprus, Albania and Malta said:
*Ericsson*s end-to-end solution represents a springboard for
improving public services and supporting regional economic growth.This
initiative builds upon earlier Metropolitan Area Network projects
implemented across Greece and reflects our goal of bringing
communications to all. It sets the stage for the introduction of
next-generation networks, offering highspeed broadband access and
first-rate telecommunications services across Greece.*There were no
figures on what the deal would be worth for the company.