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dtac users in Thailand to enjoy improved data services

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN — (Marketwire) — 02/28/13 —

* Contract signed with dtac Network for 3G network rollout to meet
growing data-traffic demand

* Users to enjoy improved smartphone performance, faster web browsing and
downloads, and better network performance in dense areas

* Improved network capacity for dtac Network, delivering enhanced
WCDMA/HSPA services and preparing for LTE

With a population of 67 million, Thailand has a mobile uptake rate of more
than
120 percent and one of the world-s youngest internet users on average:
almost
half of these are between age 15 and 24 and three-quarters are under 35.
Broadband is booming and the country-s annual growth rate in data traffic
has
been around 30 percent in recent years. To meet the needs of this
avid and data-hungry generation of users, dtac Network, a subsidiary of
Thailand-s second-largest mobile operator dtac, has signed a contract with
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC)
for 3G network rollout and managed services.

The contract reinforces the ongoing partnership between the two, which
began in
2011 when dtac selected Ericsson to transform its GSM network to
WCDMA/HSPA. The
3G rollout has already started, and once completed consumers can expect a
superior user experience when browsing the internet on their smartphones or
downloading movies at much faster speeds. By deploying its WCDMA/HSPA
network,
dtac Network will ensure improved network capacity and enhanced performance
in
Bangkok and the central and eastern regions.. The operator will also have a
cost-effective network ready for continued data-traffic growth, offering
enhanced mobile broadband services based on WCDMA/HSPA, while preparing for
LTE.

Jon Eddy Abdullah, CEO of dtac, says: “We are pleased to roll out 3G
services
and we-re convinced it will lead to many advantages not only for our users,
who
will enjoy better and faster access to information through our high-speed
network, but will also foster entrepreneurship and active development among
mobile operators, vendors, application developers and content producers. It
will
also contribute to national economic and social development because our 3G
network will reach people in all regions of the country.”

Joacim Damgard, President of Ericsson Thailand says: “This contract is
important, not only for Ericsson because we are expanding our footprint in
the
country, but also in terms of realizing the Networked Society. Through this
network rollout, we are enabling Thai citizens to access 3G services that
can
enrich their everyday lives.”

By deploying the latest core and radio access technology from Ericsson,
dtac
will be ready to offer mobile broadband services based on HSPA and LTE
technologies. The contract includes Ericsson-s RBS 6000 multi-standard
radio
base stations, MSC Server Blade Cluster and User Data Management, as well
as
Evolved Packet Core and circuit core solutions.

During Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona, Ericsson showcases its
combined
technology and services leadership for the ICT industry. Our solutions
deliver
superior network performance in the field, enable complete customer
experience
management, and simplify and automate operations workflows – thereby
leading to
operational excellence. We show how the Networked Society comes to life –
what
it will mean for the industry and how it will enable our customers to
capture
growth opportunities.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About dtac Network

A wholly owned subsidiary of Total Access Communication Public Company
Limited
(dtac), dtac Network received the spectrum license for International Mobile
Telecommunications in the 2.1GHz frequency band in December 2012.

With about 24 million customers, dtac is the second-largest mobile operator
in
Thailand.

Press release:

DTAC prepares for data growth with Ericsson:

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at

Ericsson is the world-s leading provider of communications technology and
services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time
solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely,
in
sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within
Information
and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries.
Today
more than 40 percent of the world-s mobile traffic goes through Ericsson
networks and we support customers- networks servicing more than 2.5 billion
subscribers.

We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people. Founded in
1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2011 the company-s
net
sales were SEK 226.9 billion (USD 35.0 billion). Ericsson is listed on
NASDAQ
OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

dtac users in Thailand to enjoy improved data services:

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Source: Ericsson via Thomson Reuters ONE

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