STOCKHOLM, February 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) will perform the first-ever demonstration of the new HSPA multi-carrier technology for peak downlink data rates of 42Mbps at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Australian operator Telstra, currently pioneering HSPA downlink data rates of up to 21Mbps in their Next G(TM) commercial network, welcomes the demonstration of the multi-carrier technology, which will significantly improve consumer experience in the entire network coverage area.

Multi-carrier technology is the next step in the evolution of HSPA and enables consumers to receive data simultaneously on two frequency channels. This doubles the user data rate in the coverage area of an HSPA network and on the cell edge, where consumers normally experience lower data rates. As a result the peak downlink data rate increases from today's fastest available 21Mbps to 42Mbps. This significantly improves the consumer experience for online services with high-quality content.

The demonstration uses the design concept of an Ericsson Mobile Broadband Router. This consumer device enables easy-to-use fixed wireless access as an attractive alternative for fixed-line services by utilizing an HSPA network. The unit can be used anywhere broadband access is needed, such as in homes, offices or public places. Thanks to the Mobile Broadband Router, the high data rates of up to 42Mbps can be shared between multiple consumers, providing efficient use of the high-speed broadband connection.

Ericsson's HSPA multi-carrier technology will be ready for commercial implementation by the end of 2009.

Mike Wright, Executive Director Telstra Wireless says: This exciting concept demonstration shows the strength of the HSPA technology on which we have based our Next G(TM) network. The Telstra and Ericsson partnership has grown through the various releases of HSPA and has delivered tremendously successful high speed broadband services to millions of Australians. It is impressive to see the next evolution in action today as an indication of what carriers will be able to experience by the end of the year.

Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio, Ericsson, says: With this demonstration, Ericsson shows its continued technology leadership. High peak data rates, increased capacity and low network costs are important ingredients for successful mobile broadband services. With the early introduction of 64QAM, MIMO and multi-carrier technologies, Ericsson enables operators all over the world to be leaders in their broadband markets.

Notes to editors:

Ericsson's standard multimedia content is available at the broadcast room:

http://www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies, Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 250 million subscribers. The company's portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of 'communication for all' through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27 billion (SEK 209 billion) in 2008. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm and NASDAQ

For more information, visit http://www.ericsson.com or http://www.ericsson.mobi.

About Telstra Corporation Ltd

Telstra Corporation Ltd is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, with one of the best-known brands in the country. Telstra is the only true media communications company in Australia that can provide customers with a fully integrated telecommunications experience across fixed line, mobiles, broadband (BigPond(R)), information, transaction and search (Sensis(R)) and pay TV (FOXTEL). By using an integrated suite of network and media assets, Telstra is creating a world of 1-click, 1-touch, 1-command, any screen solutions that are integrated, operate in real-time, and are simple, easy and valued by customers.

About 42Mbps HSPA multi-carrier technology

Base stations with two or more frequency channels are currently widely used in WCDMA/HSPA networks all over the world. Today's commercial HSPA devices can only make use of one 5MHz channel at a time. With the introduction of multi-carrier consumer devices, data from two or more 5MHz channels can be received simultaneously by one consumer. The data stream is split over the channels used in the radio base station. The first step is to use the multi-carrier concept on two frequency channels on the downlink, which doubles peak downlink speeds in the whole coverage area, also on the cell edge.

Multi-carrier technology can be introduced with a software-only upgrade in all Ericsson WCDMA/HSPA base stations with two or more channels, currently in the field. Single-carrier, multi-carrier and Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) users can use the same frequency channels simultaneously, which allows for a smooth introduction of MIMO and multi-carrier technology in existing networks.

The improvement is standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and Ericsson is cooperating with all major chipset and device manufacturers to introduce this technology.

Future evolution steps of HSPA can contain multi-carrier configurations with four frequency channels in combination with MIMO antenna technologies. By combining these improvements, downlink speeds of 168Mbps are possible.

42Mbps is the peak network downlink data rate. Actual customer download speeds can be less and will vary due to congestion, distance from the cell, local conditions, hardware, software and other factors.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Ericsson Corporate Public Media Relations Phone: +46-10-719-69-92 E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

Minako Nakatsuma Olofzon, Manager, Corporate Public and Media Relations, Office: +46-10-714-3864; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT, Ericsson Corporate Public Media Relations, Phone: +46-10-719-69-92, E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com