Johannesburg, Thursday, June 24 1999

Ericsson has reached an agreement to supply the world's first GSM Pro network, with mobile operator MTN in South Africa. 

This will make MTN the first mobile operator in the world to add dispatch and group communication capabilities to its GSM service offerings. 

The agreement, which covers the supply of network servers, rugged mobile phones, and dispatch consoles is initially valued at more than USD 25 million (SEK 210 million). 

MTN will use GSM Pro to address the growing workgroup communications market in South Africa by offering services traditionally provided by Private Mobile Radio (PMR/PAMR) systems. 

Potential users include the road transport industry, delivery, construction and security companies, and utilities. 

GSM Pro services - broadcast calls, group or conference calls, call dispatch and alert/alarm calling - will be offered throughout MTN's extensive GSM coverage area in South Africa. 

The GSM Pro mobile phone, the R250s Pro, resembles a robust GSM phone but operates as a PMR unit, with "push-to-talk" capability when required.

It also works as a normal GSM phone, and is rugged, water- and shock-resistant for reliable operation in harsh environments. 

The dispatch console provides the call dispatch functions familiar to PMR users. "A big advantage of the GSM Pro is that customers do not have to construct their own networks to benefit from group communication functionalities such as group and broadcast calls," said Janine Rebelo, MTN's Marketing Manager, Corporate Market and Strategic Alliances. 

"The Pro concept is based on standard GSM technology so the GSM Pro user also gets access to new developments in GSM such as packet data, WAP and positioning services," commented Thomas Soneson, Manager, Product Management, Ericsson South Africa. 

"With GSM being the world's most widely deployed digital wireless standard, GSM Pro customers can rely on continuous new developments and solid support, now and in the future."

MTN is one of the most innovative GSM operators worldwide. For instance, it pioneered the introduction of pre-paid subscriptions, a concept that has since taken off worldwide. 

All MTN's network infrastructure is supplied by Ericsson.