- First LTE network on the island of Saipan
- Enhanced communications to benefit residents and disaster relief teams following Typhoon Soudelor
- Will also double the capacity of IT&E’s existing HSPA network
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC, news, filings) has been selected by IT&E to enhance its radio and core network on the island of Saipan following the devastating impact last month of Typhoon Soudelor. IT&E will not only more than double its HSPA network capacity in Saipan, Rota and Tinian but will also launch a new, 4G LTE network on Saipan.
Ericsson will enable IT&E to meet growing customer demand for mobile data and wireless broadband services while delivering superior network performance. On 4G LTE, IT&E customers will be able to enjoy an improved smartphone experience, with faster web browsing, downloads, video on demand, and many other services.
On August 3, 2015, Saipan, a commonwealth of the United States located in the Western Pacific, was struck by the typhoon, causing extensive damage and leaving hundreds homeless. Soudelor was the worst storm to strike Saipan in nearly 30 years.
“Following the typhoon, the safety of our customers was our top priority,” Jim Oehlerking, IT&E CEO, says: “By deploying the latest network technology from Ericsson, we will now be able to immediately locate those in need and get them help quickly and efficiently. Moreover, we remain aggressive on our outlook for Saipan and continue to invest heavily on its development.”
Wireless communications and internet access via mobile devices are key elements in enabling recovery teams to secure vital resources such as water, food, shelter and health care in times of emergency. The investment made by IT&E in the partnership with Ericsson will support the relief efforts of teams such as the American Red Cross, Doctors without Borders and others who can help the recovery of the residents of Saipan.
Equipment began arriving in Saipan in late August, despite difficult logistical conditions on the island. The first benefits of the joint IT&E and Ericsson efforts to improve communications should be seen as early as September.
Angel Ruiz, Head of Ericsson North America, says: “Ericsson has a history of working closely with its operator customers to provide vital communications to communities in times of disaster. We’re committed to working closely with IT&E to bring next-generation wireless networks to the residents of Saipan, to benefit them during this time of crisis and for the long-term technological growth of the island.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
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.
www.ericsson.com
www.ericsson.com/news
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress
www.facebook.com/ericsson
www.youtube.com/ericssonpress
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com
PR Archives: Latest, By Company, By Date