Centennial Communications Corp.'s US Wireless Operation has selected Ericsson as its sole supplier for upgrading its digital wireless network with EDGE-ready 850 MHz GSM/GPRS radio access and core network equipment. Deployment under the five-year contract will begin immediately.
By upgrading its TDMA networks in the 850 MHz band, Centennial Communications' US Wireless Operation will be able to offer its customers advanced wireless services that are compatible with its two largest roaming partners, AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless. The upgrade also gives Centennial Wireless a roadmap for providing advanced mobile voice and data services in the future.
"Ericsson looks forward to helping Centennial Communications' US Wireless Operations bring seamless GSM/GPRS coverage to the cities and rural areas throughout its footprint," said Angel Ruiz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ericsson Inc. "Besides quality voice coverage, this upgrade shows our progress in making wireless data services available to users who live beyond major metropolitan areas."
"After an exhaustive review process, we are pleased to partner with Ericsson in this exciting network upgrade." said Phillip H. Mayberry, President of Centennial's US Wireless Operations. "We will soon be able to offer our US Wireless customers a full array of wireless data services as well as the form factor and functionality of GSM phones."
Ericsson GSM/GPRS radio access equipment is fully integrated for the 850 MHz band. That distinction makes it easier and quicker to perform simple network maintenance and troubleshooting functions, thus reducing the cost of network operation. Ericsson's GSM macro base stations, which are easily upgraded to EDGE, represent more than 30 percent of all GSM base stations installed globally.
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.
Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Ericsson:
Kathy Egan, Corporate Communications
Phone: +1-212-685-4030;
E-mail: pressrelations@ericsson.com
Glenn Sapadin, Investor Relations
Phone: +1-212-685-4030
E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com
James Borup, Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 70 590 9261
E-mail: james.borup@ericsson.com
Centennial Communications:
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, Executive VP-Chief Financial Officer
Phone: + 1 732-556-2220
About Centennial
Centennial is one of the largest independent wireless telecommunications service
providers in the United States and the Caribbean with approximately 17.1 million
Net Pops and approximately 929,700 wireless subscribers. Centennial's U.S. operations
have approximately 6.0 million Net Pops in small cities and rural areas. Centennial's
Caribbean integrated communications operation owns and operates wireless licenses
for approximately 11.1 million Net Pops in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and provides voice, data, video and Internet services
on broadband networks in the region. Welsh, Carson Anderson & Stowe and
an affiliate of the Blackstone Group are controlling shareholders of Centennial.
For more information regarding Centennial, please visit our websites at www.centennialcom.com
and www.centennialpr.com.
