Ericsson completes world's largest live network upgrade for Vodafone Essar in record time

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, Jul 14 (MARKET WIRE) --

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has completed the world's largest upgrade of a
live mobile network, and done it at a record pace. To improve quality of
service for more than 13 million Vodafone Essar subscribers in India's
four key zones including three large metro cities, Ericsson replaced more
than 10,500 of the operator's GSM radio sites, reaching a peak rate of
one site every minute.

The network modernization project began in February 2008 and ended first
quarter 2009, two months ahead of schedule. During this time, Ericsson
delivered more than 16,000 base station cabinets and more than 250 base
station controllers, completing the project in only 13 months. As part of
the agreement, Ericsson also provided an expansion of the layered
architecture circuit core including mobile packet back bone (MPBN) and
microwave transmission equipment.

For Vodafone Essar, this means improved network performance, with state
of the art equipment and functionalities.

Throughout the project Vodafone maintained uninterrupted network services
in the cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, as well as the Punjab region.

Acknowledging the milestone, Naresh Gupta, Technical Director at Vodafone
Essar, says: "Swapping a commercially live network with near zero service
deterioration is a very demanding task. I am pleased that Ericsson
managed to undertake and complete such a challenging project in record
time."

Gowton Achaibar, President of Ericsson India and Sri Lanka, says: "This
record-breaking network modernization project demonstrates Ericsson's
end-to-end capacity and expertise in carrying out large and complex
projects. It was made possible by our highly competent and dedicated
team."

Being the number one in telecom services and with a services organization
covering more than 175 countries, Ericsson Global Services has the scale
and skill to deliver large and complex projects, providing both local
market expertise and global experience.

Notes to editors:

Photos are available here:
http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/photos/index.shtml

Ericsson's multimedia content is available at the broadcast room:
www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room

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 1 billion
subscribers and has a leading position in managed services. The company's
portfolio comprises of 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 "to be the prime driver in an
all-communicating world" through innovation, technology, and sustainable
business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 75,000 employees
generated revenue of SEK 209 billion (USD 32.2 billion) in 2008. Founded
in 1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on
OMX NASDAQ, Stockholm and NASDAQ New
York.

www.ericsson.com
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Corporate Public & Media Relations
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

About Vodafone Essar Ltd

Vodafone Essar, the Indian subsidiary of Vodafone Group, commenced
operations in 1994 when its predecessor, Hutchison Telecom, acquired the
cellular license for Mumbai. The company now has operations across the
country with more than 74.08 million customers**. Vodafone Group is the
world's leading international mobile communications corporation. It
currently has equity interests in 31 countries across five continents and
40 partner networks with more than 303 million proportionate customers
worldwide. The Essar Group is Vodafone's principal partner in India. The
Essar Group is a diversified business corporation with a balanced
portfolio of assets in the manufacturing and services sectors including
steel, energy, power, communications, shipping ports and logistics, and
projects. Essar employs more than 50,000 people in offices across Asia,
Africa, Europe and the Americas. **Figures from Cellular Operators
Association of India, May 31, 2009

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