Ericsson has been selected as the exclusive 3G/WCDMA vendor to Telstra for up to the next five years. The estimated value of the framework agreement is more than USD 78 million (100M AUD) over the term. Ericsson will supply layered architecture core and radio access network equipment, including HSDPA and network rollout services.

These contracts complement the Telstra-Hutchison 3GSM network sharing arrangement which gives Telstra access to a fully optimised, fully operational network across five capital cities from 1 July 2005, and provides a way forward to increase 3GSM coverage as demand requires.

"We had a number of very high quality and competitive tenders to assess, but at all times we had to consider who could provide the best overall solution for Telstra," said Ted Pretty, Telstra Technology Innovation and Product Group Managing Director.

"Ericsson has worked in partnership with Telstra for many decades with their fixed and mobile networks, applications and services,"

said Barry Borzillo, Managing Director for Ericsson Australia and New Zealand. "We are very pleased to help Telstra drive industry growth with this major network investment decision."

In Australia, Ericsson also supplies and delivers the integrated infrastructure for the Hutchison 3G Australia network, 3.

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