Ericsson today signed additional phase III CDMA2000 infrastructure expansions with China Unicom for approximately USD 93 million at the China Seminar on Prospects for Cooperation in Telecom and IT in Washington DC.

In addition, Ericsson has been awarded further phase III agreements during December, bringing today's total announced expansion value close to USD 140 million.

Ericsson supplies its total CDMA2000 1X network solution to China Unicom in the Sichuan, Jiangsu, Henan, Anhui, Yunnan, Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces. In addition, Ericsson supplies a multi-access network based on its CDMA2000 1X network and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) solutions for China Unicom in Sichuan province. Deployment has already begun and commercial launch is expected during first quarter 2004.

The contract includes Ericsson's total CDMA2000 solution for core and radio network equipment and a full portfolio of services including training, network rollout and technical support. Nanjing Ericsson Panda Communications Company Ltd (ENC), an Ericsson joint venture in China, will deliver all Ericsson equipment and services for the new contracts.