Cable & Wireless Communications and Ericsson deliver world-class mobile broadband to the Caribbean and Latin America

• Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) extends partnership with Ericsson for the deployment of 4G LTE technology, 3G network transformation and the latest Ericsson software with advanced smartphone features
• Ericsson technology to power CWC’s high-performing networks and support continued delivery of superior-quality user experiences to over 6 million Caribbean and Latin American consumers throughout 42 countries
• Mobile data traffic expected to grow seven-fold in the Caribbean and Latin America by 2020

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC, news, filings) has extended its strategic partnership with Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) to transform the operator’s 3G network and deploy 4G LTE technology. The agreement enables CWC – headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, US – to continue delivering world-class mobile, data and voice consumer experiences to over six million Caribbean and Latin American subscribers throughout 42 countries. It includes the modernization of existing mobile radio access and core network infrastructure for all CWC’s markets.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver equipment and a range of professional services, including project management, systems integration and support. It also includes software updates that deliver new capabilities in radio access, network management and network control. Meeting consumer demands for high performance, in addition to the growing need for coverage and capacity, requires continual network evolution.

Network performance is one of the most important factors for consumer satisfaction. The comprehensive transformation of CWC’s network in collaboration with Ericsson is already paying off for the operator, with improvements in several key performance and customer satisfaction metrics.

Carlo Alloni, EVP Technology and Group CTIO, Cable & Wireless Communications, says: “Mobile broadband data is a key driver for economic growth in the Caribbean and Latin America. The launch of next-generation 4G LTE and 3G will ensure our customers continue to enjoy high-speed access on a superior network with unparalleled customer service.

 “The extension of our strategic partnership with Ericsson consolidates our commitment to delivering high-quality communications services to our customers and to working together to keep our outstanding network position. It is key for us to be working with global, innovative vendors such as Ericsson.”

Clayton Cruz, Vice President, Ericsson Region Latin America & Caribbean, says: “With this agreement, we further strengthen our long-term strategic business relationship with Cable & Wireless by supporting them in meeting their commitment to excellent services for their subscribers in the Caribbean and Latin America.”

“According to our worldwide benchmark, CWC’s regional mobile network ranks with the best-in-class worldwide. In a very competitive Networked Society, a network with superior performance is one of the key differentiators and a strategic asset for operators. Our collaboration ensures the delivery of a high-quality mobile broadband experience.”

According to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, by 2020 86 percent of all mobile data traffic in the Caribbean and Latin America will come from smartphones, while 78 percent of data traffic in the region will be from LTE. In addition, mobile data traffic is expected to grow seven-fold in the region by 2020.

Ericsson is present today in all high-traffic LTE markets, including the US, Japan and South Korea, and is ranked first in handling global LTE traffic. Forty percent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks -­­ twice as much mobile traffic as the closest competitor. Ericsson is first in LTE market share within the world’s top 100 cities. More than 220 LTE RAN and Evolved Packet Core networks have been delivered by Ericsson worldwide, of which 170 are live commercially.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Media Kit: Long Term Evolution – LTE

Ericsson Mobility Report

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society – a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions – and our customers – stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2014 were SEK 228.0 billion (USD 33.1 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Karina Martini, External Communications, Latin America & Caribbean, Ericsson
Phone: +56 2 23725048
E-mail: karina.martini@ericsson.com

About Cable & Wireless Communications:

Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) is a full service communications and entertainment provider, operating in the Caribbean and Latin America. With annual sales of over $2.4bn, it operates both mobile and fixed networks, supported by submarine and terrestrial optical fibre backhaul capacity. Through the acquisition of Columbus International Inc. on 31 March 2015, CWC now delivers superior high-speed mobile data, broadband and video services. It has leading market positions in Mobile, Fixed Line, Broadband and Video consumer offers.
Through its business division, CWC provides data centre hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customised IT service solutions, utilising cloud technology to serve business and government customers.
The company also operates a state-of-the-art subsea fibre optic cable network that spans more than 42,000 km – the most extensive in the region – as well as 38,000 km of terrestrial fibre providing wholesale and carrier backhaul capacity.
CWC has more than 7,000 employees serving over 6 million customers (Mobile 3.8m; Fixed Line 1.1m; TV 460k and Broadband 665k) as well as over 125k corporate clients across 42 countries. The Company’s leading brands include; LIME and Flow in the Caribbean; BTC in The Bahamas; Mas Movil in Panama; C&W Business and C&W Networks. CWC is the market leader in most products offered and territories served. It is a major contributor to local communities through its corporate social responsibility programmes.
Cable & Wireless Communications’ shares are quoted on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CWC. The company is headquartered in London with its operational hub located in Miami, within close proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America.
For more information please visit: http://www.cwc.com

Contacts:

• Press release (PDF)

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