Ericsson selected by Idea Cellular for 4G rollout and network transformation

• Idea Cellular selects Ericsson to deploy 4G/LTE network Indian telecom circles for 40 million subscribers
• Agreement includes transformation of Idea Cellular's 2G and 3G networks
• Idea Cellular subscribers to benefit from faster mobile data speeds and better smartphone performance

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has been selected by Idea Cellular, the 3^rd largest mobile services operator in India, with over 170 million subscribers, to deploy a 4G/LTE network and to transform its existing 2G and 3G networks.

The LTE deployment will cover selected telecom circles which serve over 40 million subscribers. It will enable Idea Cellular to deliver superior mobile broadband experiences, including faster mobile data speeds and better smartphone performance, to its subscribers.

The contract covers equipment, software and a range of professional services, including project management, systems integration and supervisory managed services for 4G/LTE across selected circles for a period of two years. Ericsson will install its multi-standard RBS 6000 radio base station, which supports GSM/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA and LTE in a single cabinet and upgrade core network and operations support systems (OSS).

The agreement also includes the transformation of Idea Cellular's existing mobile radio access and core network infrastructure across nine circles for 2G and five circles for 3G.

For licensing purposes, the Indian telecom market is divided into 22 geographical zones, referred to as circles.

Himanshu Kapania, CEO, Idea Cellular, says, "We are committed to offering our customers the best possible mobile experience. Transforming our 2G and 3G network will enable us to offer optimized mobile data and better smartphone performance, while our LTE deployments will take the customer experience on Idea Cellular's networks to the next level."

Paolo Colella, Head of Region India, Ericsson, says: "The latest Ericsson Mobility Report shows that India added more mobile subscriptions than any other region in Q3 2015. These subscribers are increasingly demanding better network quality and superior services.

"Ericsson's technology and services leadership will enable Idea Cellular to transform their 2G and 3G networks and to roll out an LTE network that delivers superior broadband experiences."

Ericsson is today present in all high-traffic LTE markets, including the US, Japan and South Korea, and is ranked first for handling global LTE traffic - 40 percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks.  Ericsson is number one in LTE market share within the world's top 100 cities. More than 230 Ericsson LTE RAN and evolved Packet Core networks have been delivered worldwide, of which 170 are live commercially.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Idea Cellular

Idea Cellular is India's 3^rd largest mobile operator with over 170 million subscribers.  With traffic in excess of 2 billion minutes a day, Idea Cellular ranks among the top 6 country operators in the world.  Using the latest 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 is an Aditya Birla Group Company, India's first truly multinational corporation, operating in 36 countries.  More information on Idea Cellular is available at www.ideacellular.com and on the Aditya Birla Group at www.adityabirla.com

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